New Delhi: With bombs exploding regularly and guns booming intermittently, it is bullet versus ballot in the northeast Indian state of Manipur, scheduled to go to the polls on Saturday to elect the 60-member state legislative assembly.

Militancy has long been a scourge of the beautiful state bordering Burma. Insurgents are waging war against the state for different reasons. While some organisations want Manipur to become a sovereign state, some want Naga-speaking areas to become part of the greater Nagaland state while Kuki militants want a separate state for themselves.

However, it's the gun that unites the seven underground militant organisations that have called for an election boycott and have been particularly targeting leaders, workers and offices of the state's ruling Congress party.

Under the spotlight

The upcoming elections are seen as an acid test for chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh who helped the Congress party retain power in the state for two consecutive tenures. Questions are being raised if he will we able to guide the Congress to another victory in the face of tough challenges being posed by the opposition — which has come together under the banner of the People's Democratic Alliance (PDF), which is made up of the Manipur People's Party, the Nationalist Congress Party, Janata Dal (United), Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Though the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier announced its decision to wage a fight alongside the Manipur People's Party to defeat the Congress in the state, it is not part of the PDF. Trinamool Congress, which rules West Bengal, has also jumped into the fray and has 48 candidates vying for seats in its bid to acquire the stature of a recognised national party.

Nearly 1.67 million voters will decide the fate of 279 candidates who are in the fray for what is going to be the 10th assembly election in the state that came into being in 1972.

The controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which was imposed in September 1980 to deal with insurgents, continues to remain an issue which is used by parties during electioneering. The AFSPA gives unlimited powers to security forces who are often accused of misusing the law to harass the locals.

Social activist Irom Sharmila has been on a hunger strike (she is being forcefed through her nose) for over 10 years demanding the repealing of the act. Her fast started after Assam Rifles personnel killed 10 people in an encounter with unknown militants at Imphal airport area in 2000. Civil society organisations have also been demanding that the act be repealed.

The AFSPA continues to be a major poll issue. Parties such as BJP and the Nationalist Congress party (NCP) are in favour of creating an atmosphere for removing the AFSPA. However, the CPI (M) and the Manipur People's Party (MPP), the oldest regional party in the state, are pushing for the outright removal of the act. The ruling Congress, however, is yet to declare its views on the act.

Unemployment and corruption are the other major issues dominating the polls.

Of the 279 candidates in the fray, 20 are Muslims and 16 are women, though their numbers have been on decline. Muslims make up 8.32 per cent of the electorate, while Hindus (47 per cent) and Christians (34 per cent) make up the majority. Lilong constituency stands out as all the seven candidates are Muslims.

Key players

  • Chief Minister O. Ibobi Singh (Congress): Thoubal constituency.
  • Ghaikhangam (Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee): Nungba constituency
  • K. Ranjit (Congress), Public Works Department minister: Sugnu constituency
  • N. Biren (Congress), Food and Civil Supply minister: Heingang constituency
  • Hemochandra (Congress), Speaker: Singjamei constituency

Main issues

Unemployment: The lack of job opportunities in the state, in the absence of industrialisation, has meant large-scale migration to other states, where Manipuris and others from northeast states face racial discrimination.

Corruption: Rampant corruption is a big issue in this election since it affects normal life in a big way. Worse, Team Anna which is campaigning against corruption has decided to skip Manipur while being active in the remaining four poll-bound states.

Absence of civil liberties: A war zone-like situation in the state due to presence of the army has led to complaints of absence of civil liberties.

Economic blockades: Militant organisations have been giving repeated calls for an economic blockade, lasting as long as 120 days last year. These will cut off supply lines and result into increases in the prices of all essential commodities, thus affecting every household.

Naga People's Front fighting elections: Naga militants are suspected to have put up their own candidates in the assembly elections on the sly, creating ripples that once elected they will create problems inside the assembly.

Repeal of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958: The most burning issue since it gives free hand to armed forces without any accountability in tackling militancy. The army is often accused of killing civilians as well. The locals want this act to be repealed, but the federal government is reluctant.