Newmai News Network
Imphal: A total of nine candidates filed their nomination papers on Wednesday, the last day of filing nominations for the two Parliamentary seats of Manipur.
Including the two who had earlier filed their nomination papers, a total of 11 candidates filed their nomination papers to contest the upcoming two-phase polls.
Of the total 11 candidates who filed their nomination papers till March 27, 2024, seven are for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency and the remaining four for the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary constituency, all from the Naga tribe, as Kuki-Zo tribals abstained.
For the Inner seat, a total of six candidates filed their nomination papers today to the returning officer (RO) at Imphal West DC office Lamphelpat. They are Maheshwar Thounaojam of Republican Party of India – Athawale (RPI – A),  Thounaojam Basanta Kumar Singh of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam of Indian National Congress(INC), Moirangthem Totomshana Nongshaba of Rashtriya Janhit Sangharsh Party (RJSP), Ngasepam Nilakanta Singh of Universal Family Party (UFP) and Haorungbam Sarat Singh – Independent candidate.
Rajkumar Somendro Singh alias Kaiku of Manipur People’s Party (MPP) had already filed his nomination paper on Monday.
For the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary constituency, three candidates filed their nomination papers, to take the total number of candidates to four.
The three candidates who filed their nomination papers today are Alfred Kanngam S Arthur of INC, Dr Alyson Abonmai and S Kho John. The last two filed their nomination papers as independent candidates.
Kachui Timothy Zimik of NPF had already filed his nomination paper from the constituency on Monday.
Interestingly, none of the two sitting MPs filed their nomination papers. The Inner seat is currently occupied by BJP’s Dr RK Ranjan Singh who is currently serving as Union minister of State for External Affairs and Education while NPF’s Lorho S Pfoze was elected from the Outer seat in the last Lok Sabha elections held in 2019.
The nomination papers filed by all the candidates will be taken up for scrutiny on March 28 at 11 am. The scrutiny for the Inner seat will be held at the office of the RO at Imphal West DC office while that of Outer constituency at Thoubal DC office.
The number of candidates to be in the fray in each constituency will be known only after March 30, the last date of withdrawal of candidatures.
The polling for the two Parliamentary seats in Manipur will be held in the first and second phase, on April 19 and April 26.
The polling in the Inner seat will be held on April 19 and the Outer seat will go to poll twice, on April 19 and April 26.
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