The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for 12th General Elections to the Manipur Legislative Assembly on Saturday. The poll will be conducted in two phases in which the fate of 60 seats of assembly constituencies will be decided by 20,34,966 voters. These voters include 9,85,119 male, 10,49,639 female and 208 Third Gender.<br />'' <br />''Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur Rajesh Agrawal briefed media persons on the poll schedule and other poll related information this evening at a press conference in Imphal. He said that voting for the first phase election will be held for 38 assembly constituencies of six districts- Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Pherzawl and Kangpokpi on February 27. The poll for remaining 22 assembly constituencies of eleven districts will be held on 3rd March. The counting of votes will be held on March tenth and the election process shall be completed by 12th March.<br />'' <br />''Mr Agrawal said that the necessary arrangement has been taken up to conduct the smooth, free and fair election in Manipur. A total number of 763 polling stations have been identified as critical. Eleven thousand seven hundred sixty seven licensed arms have been deposited to the nearest police stations out of twenty five thousand two hundred ninety nine till date to curb the poll related crimes.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Regarding COVID-19 guidelines to be observed during the poll campaign, the CEO, Manipur said that the maximum number of star campaigners for recognised parties has been restricted to 30.  ECI has also directed that no physical meeting, roadshow, procession, vehicle rally will be allowed till 15th January and strict COVID-19 protocols will be observed in the polling stations.</span><br />