Manipur: Kuki-Zo community abstains from voting in Kangpokpi district, leading to empty polling Stations

The first phase of polling in Kangpokpi district, Manipur kicked off at 7:00 am with empty polling stations with complete zero turnout from the Kuki-Zo voters following the abstention call from the community's apex body.

Almost all the polling stations including the polling station managed by PwD, 77 Polling Stations managed exclusively by women, and 24 Special Polling Stations for Displaced Voters both from Inner and Outer Manipur, wore a deserted look with the Abstention from Kuki-Zo voters.

However, voters from other communities exercise their franchise rights in their respective polling stations but compared to the previous elections, the voter turnout has been very low.

The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills, the paramount authority for the Kuki community, issued a powerful proclamation urging all Kuki residents in Sadar Hills to abstain from voting in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election, highlighting their unwavering stance and unity.

It had made it clear that their approach to the Lok Sabha Polls isn't about "boycotting" but rather opting to "abstain from voting."

The apex body also stated that given the absence of a candidate from the Kuki-Zo community in the 18th Lok Sabha Election, efforts were made to select a consensus candidate among the four candidates in the outer Manipur PC, however, consensus could not be achieved.

Therefore, in coordination with all stakeholders, acknowledged by the Kuki Inpi Manipur, a unanimous decision was made to abstain from voting in the upcoming election.

There are four candidates for the II-Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency including BJP-backed NFP candidate Kachui Timothy Zimik, Congress candidate Alfred Kanngam Arthur, and two Independent candidates, S. Kho John and Dr. Alyson Abonmai.

Sadar Hills Kangpokpi District boasted more than one lakh electors.

The Kuki Inpi Sadar Hills also instructed all village chiefs and Kuki-Zo individuals to adhere to the joint resolution of abstaining from voting.

The apex body directive was endorsed by the Committee on Tribal Unity and various other Kuki bodies in the district.

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