Imphal, April 5 : The Election Commission on Friday launched a signature campaign in Manipur to increase the voting percentage and boost electoral participation in the state.

The two Lok Sabha seats in the state, Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur, will go to the polls in the first two phases on April 19 and April 26, respectively. The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.

According to poll officials, in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the state recorded a voter turnout of 83.16 per cent, while 89.3 per cent of the voters exercised their franchise in the Assembly polls held in 2022, which was higher than the 2017 (86.4 per cent) and 2012 (79.5 per cent) Assembly elections.

The signature campaign, launched from the Chief Electoral Officer's office at Lamphelpat, is aimed at encouraging all eligible voters, particularly the youth, to cast their votes in large numbers in a free, fair, and peaceful manner without any fear.

Various creative campaigns and explainer videos on applications like cVIGIL etc. have been launched through multiple media platforms to promote ethical, informed, inclusive, and accessible voting, an election official said.

He also said that large hoardings and posters with information on empowering the voters have been installed at strategic locations across Manipur.

TV/radio talks, and jingles, among other things, have also been taken up in a big way in view of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections.

/IANS