Voting underway in Manipur by-election

The by-election was necessitated by the death of Maibam Kunjo, a former information minister

Voting for by-election to the prestigious Hiyanglam Assembly constituency in Manipur's Thoubal district is underway today.

Voters have been tuning out to cast their votes since 8 a.m.

The main contest is between BJP and Congress. Prominent candidates in the fray include E Dwijamani (INC), M Dhanabir (BJP), Th Laiba Manipur State congress Party (MSCP), Y Radheshyam (ITC) and M Amutombi Manipur Peoples Party (MPP).

The by-election was necessitated by the death of Maibam Kunjo (Trinamool Congress), a former information minister, three months ago. Maibam Dhanabir, BJP candidate in Hiyanglam constituency, is his eldest son.

Of the 24,000 voters, 8% exercised their franchise in the first two hours of voting, election officials said.