Of the seven states that vote in 2027, Manipur reaches its deadline first. The term of the 60-member Legislative Assembly ends on 13 March 2027. It will be the state’s first assembly election since ethnic violence broke out in May 2023, and since nearly a year of central rule.
Manipur at a glance
- Seats: 60 (majority: 31)
- Reserved: 19 for Scheduled Tribes, 1 for Scheduled Castes
- Term ends: 13 March 2027
- Chief Minister: Yumnam Khemchand Singh (BJP), since 4 February 2026
- President’s Rule: 13 February 2025 to 4 February 2026
The 2022 result
Manipur voted in two phases, on 28 February and 5 March 2022. The BJP won 32 seats — its first majority on its own in the state — and N. Biren Singh returned as Chief Minister for a second term.
| Party | Seats |
|---|---|
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | 32 |
| National People’s Party (NPP) | 7 |
| Janata Dal (United) | 6 |
| Naga People’s Front (NPF) | 5 |
| Indian National Congress | 5 |
| Kuki People’s Alliance (KPA) | 2 |
| Independents | 3 |
| Total | 60 |
The house changed during the term. Five of the six JD(U) MLAs merged with the BJP in September 2022. The Kuki People’s Alliance withdrew support from the government in August 2023, and the NPP did the same in November 2024.
A term interrupted
Violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities began on 3 May 2023. More than 250 people were killed and tens of thousands were displaced from their homes, many of them into relief camps. The conflict shaped politics in the state for the rest of the assembly’s term.
N. Biren Singh resigned as Chief Minister in February 2025. President’s Rule was imposed on 13 February 2025 under Article 356, and Parliament later approved its extension. During this period the assembly was kept in suspended animation rather than dissolved, which allowed it to be revived. On 4 February 2026 Yumnam Khemchand Singh of the BJP was sworn in as Chief Minister, ending central rule.
Valley and hills
Manipur’s seats divide sharply by geography:
- Imphal valley — 40 seats. The valley districts are home to most of the state’s Meitei population and hold two-thirds of the assembly.
- Hill districts — 20 seats. These are predominantly Naga and Kuki-Zo areas. Of the 19 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes, almost all are in the hills.
Parties with a base in one community or region — the NPF among Nagas, the KPA among Kukis — can be decisive in a 60-seat house where 31 makes a majority.
What makes this election different
Voting by displaced people
Thousands of voters still live away from their home constituencies. In the 2024 Lok Sabha election the Election Commission set up special polling stations so that people in relief camps could vote for their original constituencies. How the Commission handles displaced electors in 2027 will be watched closely.
Security
During the 2024 Lok Sabha election, re-polling was ordered at several booths in Manipur after disruption. Deployment of central forces and the number of phases will be key decisions in the schedule.
The voter list
Manipur is part of the Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls. Draft rolls are published on 12 November 2026, claims and objections close on 11 December, and the final roll is due on 4 January 2027. Displaced voters can check their entry and file corrections online at voters.eci.gov.in or through the Voter Helpline app. Step-by-step guide.
Beyond the state
- Manipur has 2 Lok Sabha seats (Inner Manipur and Outer Manipur) and 1 Rajya Sabha seat.
- Each Manipur MLA’s vote in the 2027 presidential election is worth 18.
Follow Manipur Election 2027 for updates as the Election Commission announces its plans.
