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Our Correspondent
Saikul, Feb. 26 (EMN): The voters of Manipur’s Saikul assembly constituency under Kangpokpi district are expecting development of their constituency once the right candidate is elected this time in the polls.
A resident of Thangkhanphai locality under Saikul Township said, “Most of the candidates were elected once or twice in the previous terms. So the general feeling is that we want a new face and we want to give a chance to a new candidate.”
Even though Saikul town is located about 35 km north-east of Imphal, area of coverage under its assembly constituency is comparatively large and the constituency always has the maximum number of candidates when assembly election comes.
This time, Saikul had eight candidates against 11 in the previous assembly elections and became one of the three constituencies which has maximum number of candidates. The other two constituencies are Sekmai and Saikot.
The eight candidates are sitting MLA Yamthong Haokip (BJP), Lhingkim Haokip (Congress), Ajang Khongsai (JD-U), Chungkholai Doungel (Independent), Kimneo Haokip Hangshing (Kuki People’s Alliance), Seikholal Haokip (National People’s Party) and Jamchinlen Lunkim ( RPI).
In the 2017 elections, Yamthong Haokip, who was then a congress candidate, won Saikul seat by defeating Chungkhokai Doungel from Nationalist Congress Party with a margin of 3261 votes.
A 34-year-old lady shop keeper at Saikul market informed that they are expecting something good this time. “So I will decide myself to vote for the welfare of Saikul once the time comes,” she said.
Interestingly, females outnumbered the male’s voters in Saikul constituency, which has around 28,000 voters and lies under Kangpokpi district.
On the other hand, most of the womenfolk, who earn their living from Saikul’s lone women market in the heart of this picturesque hill town, hope that this election might bring change in the constituency if the right candidate is chosen.
Locals said that Saikul Assembly Constituency had a minister in the mid-nineties. Since then, most of the representatives from the constituency are on the opposition bench.
It may be noted that the state goes to polls on February 28 and March 5, while the counting will be held on March 10.