Manipur: Displaced voters would have special voting places put up

Manipur: In front of the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, 29 special polling places have been established around the state to enable voting by internally displaced people, according to Imphal West Deputy Commissioner Kiran Kumar.

Recent ethnic confrontations in Manipur have resulted in the internal displacement of over 50,000 people and the loss of 175 lives (as of September 15, 2023).

Speaking to the media regarding the government’s readiness for the imminent Lok Sabha elections in the violence-plagued state of Manipur, the Imphal West Deputy Commissioner announced that, in accordance with directives from the central government, a substantial plan has been put in place to enable the 5,000 internally displaced people of Manipur to cast their ballots.

“Twenty-nine such polling stations have been opened ahead of the general elections,” he said.

Voting will take place at the designated polling places for the district’s displaced residents. Other than the travel services we will provide, they don’t have any special plans. We have set up additional voting places for voters from other parliamentary seats who were relocated to Imphal West due to the unrest. In Inner Manipur, we have scheduled 29 voting places of this kind. About 5,000 individuals have been internally displaced, he said.

The official also discussed the idea of establishing a few voting places at camps for the internally displaced. “Everyone will be given the opportunity to cast their votes,” he said.

Regarding the present state of affairs in Manipur, the deputy commissioner stressed that peace would prevail throughout the polls and that normality has returned to the Northeast state.

“We are optimistic that the elections will go ahead without a hitch and have increased security measures accordingly. Personnel from the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) are assigned to staff the polling places that we have determined are susceptible to attacks. Given the state’s current circumstances, the overall number of these polling places is rising. He said, “Every action and movement is being closely observed and tracked.

The representative said that the social media site is being monitored closely and that appropriate measures would be taken to remove disrespectful, deceptive, or playful messages as needed.