Imphal: Dr. Angomcha Bimol Akoijam, the Congress candidate contesting from the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, has expressed confidence in winning after exercising his electoral rights in the 18th Lok Sabha election on Friday.
Akoijam, a distinguished professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, was accompanied by his wife and family members while casting votes at the model polling station, Ram Lal Higher Secondary School, Keishamthong in Imphal West.
“Looking at the people’s pulse, I am pretty confident and looking forward to how big the margin will be,” said Bimol Akoijam.
Akoijam, who is contesting for the first time in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary segment, has expressed hope that people across the 60 assembly constituencies will come out to vote and elect representatives that represent the voice of the people.
He further said that people must get an opportunity to exercise their franchise rights peacefully without intimidation or interference.
“I want people to have an opportunity to vote peacefully because this is the only opportunity that citizens have to decide the fate of how the place is run and what kind of representative will be elected. If we have a disruption, you are depriving people of the right to vote,” he said.
The 57-year-old academician is among the few intellectuals from Manipur who are vocal against the ongoing conflict in the state.
Substantial portions of the Outer Manipur constituency from Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Chandel are included in the first phase of voting. The second phase for the remaining outer constituencies is scheduled on April 26.
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