2002 Manipur Legislative Assembly election

The 2002 Manipur Legislative Assembly election was conducted on February 20, 2002, marking a significant event in the political landscape of the Indian state of Manipur. This election was held to elect members to the 60-seat Manipur Legislative Assembly, following the dissolution of the previous assembly in 2001. The primary political contest was between the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), amidst various regional parties vying for influence. The election resulted in a fractured mandate, with no single party achieving an outright majority. The INC emerged as the largest party, leading to the formation of a Congress-led government under Okram Ibobi Singh. The election was notable for its backdrop of ethnic tensions and separatist movements, which significantly influenced voter turnout and campaign strategies.