In Manipur, 94 special polling booths will be established for internally displaced persons (IDPs) to cast their votes at relief camps during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Since May 3 last year, more than 50,000 individuals have been displaced due to ethnic conflict in Manipur. Consequently, these IDPs have sought refuge in various relief camps across the State.
The majority of special polling stations, totalling 24, will be set up in Kangpokpi district, followed by 22 in Bishnupur and 15 in Churachandpur, according to officials. Additionally, Imphal East will have nine special polling stations, while Imphal West will have eight, and other districts will have varying numbers.
IDPs are required to submit identification documents to designated election officials, stated Joint Chief Electoral Officer N Ramananda.
The election process will be overseen by three expenditure observers, three general observers, and three police observers in the state. Expenditure observers have already begun election-related activities, confirmed Ramananda.
Among the nine special polling booths in Imphal East district, five will cater to the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, while the remaining four will serve the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, as per a notification issued by the district election officer.
Similarly, in Bishnupur district, out of the 22 special polling booths, 11 each will be designated for the Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituencies.
