Churachandpur: The Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) Presidential Council, in consultation with its constituent member tribes, has agreed that no member from the Kuki-Zo community should file nominations for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election.
An advisory notice issued on Sunday from the ITLF Presidential Council signed by its chairman Pagin haokip and secretary Muan Tombing stated that the decision was made after careful deliberation and taking into account the current “plight of the Kuki-Zo community” in Manipur.
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“As Indian citizens, we advise our community members to exercise their right to franchise by voting in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024 but abstain from contesting for the Outer Manipur Member of Parliament seat,” stated ITLF.
Meanwhile, as the deadline for filing nominations for the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur approaches, two candidates stepped forward on Monday to officially enter the electoral race for the state’s two parliamentary seats. The final withdrawal of candidatures will be March 30.
Kachui Timothy Zimik, hailing from Sanakeithel village in Ukhrul district, submitted his nomination as the Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate for the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary constituency.
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Simultaneously, Rajkumar Somendro Singh, also known as Kaiku and a resident of Thangmeiband Maisnam Leikai in Imphal West district, filed his nomination papers as the nominee of the Manipur People’s Party (MPP) for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is yet to announce its nominee for the Inner Manipur seat.
It is worth noting that the BJP has already declared its support for the NPF candidate in the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary constituency.
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On the opposition front, the Indian National Congress had announced its candidates for both seats. Professor Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam is set to contest from the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency, while Alfred Kangam Arthur will represent the party in the Outer seat. However, they are yet to file their nomination papers.
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The two Lok Sabha seats in Manipur will unfold in two phases, scheduled for April 19 and April 26. The Inner seat will witness polling on April 19, while the Outer seat will have voting on both April 19 and April 26.
Churachandpur, Chandel, and Kangpokpi districts of the Outer Manipur (ST) Parliamentary Constituency will participate in the first phase alongside valley districts. Meanwhile, Jiribam district will vote in the second phase alongside hill districts such as Pherzawl, Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, Ukhrul, Kamjong, and Tengnoupal.
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