To maintain the voting rights of the displaced Manipuri people owing to ethnic strife, the Election Commission of India-ECI has directed the establishment of special polling stations at relief camps, enabling displaced residents to participate in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, as stated in an official announcement.
The statement issued by the State Chief Electoral Officer highlighted the displacement of numerous electors due to the conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023. These individuals, currently residing in relief camps across various districts, remain registered voters at their original places of residence.
“The ECI, after due consultation with the Central and State governments, has directed that all such displaced persons who had to leave their native places during the conflict shall continue to be borne on the electoral rolls of the Assembly and parliamentary constituencies concerned in the State,” the statement elaborated.
As per precedent, internally displaced electors will be provided the opportunity to vote at special polling stations established within relief camps. Separate Electronic Voting Machines-EVMs will be utilised for each parliamentary constituency, ensuring a seamless voting process.
“All rules and directions applicable for the conduct of polls at the original polling stations will apply at these special polling stations as well,” the statement emphasised.
The counting of votes cast at these special polling stations will be overseen by designated assistant returning officers or AROs at specified counting centres, approved by the Commission.
The ethnic strife, which commenced on May 3 last year, has led to the displacement of over 50,000 individuals, primarily spread across five valley districts and three hill districts. The conflict erupted after people from other community like Nagas and Kukis protested against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
