IMPHAL: In a bid to ensure electoral participation among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Manipur, the Election Commission of India has arranged eight Special Polling Stations (SPSs) in Imphal West district for the Lok Sabha polls.
Manipur, with its two Lok Sabha seats – Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency reserved for scheduled tribes and Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency, will conduct polls in two phases on April 19 and 26.
The notification outlines the establishment of three special polling stations for the Inner Manipur PC and five for the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, located in various assembly constituencies within Imphal West district.
IDPs are required to submit their duly filled-in ID Forms by April 9 at the office of the concerned Assistant Returning Officers in Imphal West district to facilitate their participation in the elections.
Th Kirankumar, the District Election Officer of Imphal West, on Monday, issued a notification urging all IDPs residing outside Relief Camps within the district’s jurisdiction to exercise their voting rights.
Following the ongoing ethnic violence in the state, there are approximately 61,000 individuals seeking shelter at various locations across the state.
Previously, ECI officials had announced the setup of 94 special polling booths for IDPs to vote at relief camps in the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha election.
The distribution of special polling stations will primarily focus on Kangpokpi district, followed by Bishnupur and Churachandpur.
Imphal East, Imphal West, Kakching, Tengnoupal, Ukhrul, Thoubal, and Jiribam districts will also have designated special polling stations.
Joint Chief Electoral Officer N Ramananda has urged the IDPs submitting their ID to the designated election officials to facilitate their participation in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, on March 29, the Global Kuki-Zomi-Hmar Women Community of Manipur, comprising notable representatives of the women community in Manipur, chose to abstain from participating in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
In a letter addressed to Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Election Commissioner of India, the group expressed their decision as a call for meaningful dialogue to address grievances and pursue fair and equitable solutions.
