ECI approves special polling stations for displaced voters in Manipur

Digital desk: In response to the displacement of numerous electors in various parts of Manipur due to conflict since May last year, the Election Commission of India (ECI), in consultation with the Central and Manipur governments, has taken significant steps to ensure their voting rights are upheld. Despite their displacement, these individuals remain enrolled in their original electoral constituencies.

The ECI has designated these internally displaced persons as specified voters and appointed Assistant Returning Officers to facilitate their voting process. Designated officers have been appointed for each district where relief camps are located in ten districts. These 10 camps are Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Jiribam, and Ukhrul. 

In a statement, the ECI declared, “In view of the position stated in the preceding para, the Election Commission of India has, as a first step to specify, in the exercise of powers vested by Article 324 of the Constitution read with Section 25 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the internally displaced persons of Manipur State, as a group of voters (hereinafter referred to as 'specified' voters for whom the polling stations may be provided outside the territorial limits of those constituencies, i.e., special polling stations in various districts of the State of Manipur where they are staying in the relief camps or otherwise due to displacement.”

Furthermore, it was also added, “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 of Manipur.”