Imphal: Manipur BJP legislator Rajkumar Imo Singh has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking a transparent and inclusive delimitation process in the state.
In the letter to the Union Home Minister, Singh requested the completion of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process and removal of bogus voters from electoral rolls before the delimitation exercise begins in Manipur.
Singh, who is also the son-in-law of former Chief Minister N Biren Singh, wrote, “I am submitting this representation regarding the recent directive of the Supreme Court to complete the delimitation process in few states including Manipur within the next three months. While the order is welcomed in its intent to ensure fair representation, I believe that certain critical issues in the state of Manipur need to be addressed prior to undertaking this exercise to preserve the integrity of the process and ensure inclusivity.”
He added, “Given the sensitive socio-political dynamics of Manipur, particularly due to the disturbances and turmoil witnessed in the last two years, it is imperative that specific foundational measures are implemented before the delimitation exercise begins.”
Singh said NRC was necessary to identify genuine citizens of the country and the state, adding that the “step is fundamental to ensuring that representation within the democratic structure is reserved solely for bona fide citizens.”
He stated that electoral rolls must be scrutinized to eliminate any discrepancies caused by the inclusion of bogus or fake voters.
“Instances of anomalies in the voter list have already been reported, which need immediate rectification before delimitation begins,” he added.
He said that the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) initiative to link Voter ID with Aadhaar is a commendable step towards ensuring a transparent and credible electoral process.
“However, for our state of Manipur, it is essential to first identify and eliminate fake Aadhaar cards to ensure a reliable and accurate linkage,” he said.
Singh said, “The state government, under the leadership of the then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, uncovered 65,000 fake Aadhaar cards. This alarming revelation highlights a grave threat to the rights and identity of the indigenous people of our state.”
Additionally, Singh called for constitutional protection for the indigenous people in the 40 Valley seats, stressing the need to safeguard their political and demographic rights.
Singh stated, “The 40 Assembly constituencies in the valley region of Manipur are currently categorized mostly as general seats. To safeguard the rights and representation of the indigenous valley population, it is crucial to provide constitutional protection for these 40 seats, ensuring that they are reserved for the indigenous people of the valley.”
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He said, “Notably, various seats are already reserved for the hill areas. Thus, this step to give constitutional protection to the 40 seats for the indigenous people of the valley is essential for preventing demographic imbalance and preserving the socio-cultural identity of the region.”
