Lok Sabha Election 2024: With the Lok Sabha elections just around the corner, the Election Commission in Manipur is gearing up for the challenging task of holding the general elections in the strife-torn state. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, a vulnerability mapping of hamlets, villages and electoral segments vulnerable to threat and intimidation, is conducted before the elections.
Pradeep Kumar Jha, Chief Electoral Officer, told news agency PTI that more than 24,500 displaced individuals have been identified as eligible to vote in the upcoming elections, and special arrangements have been made for them to cast their votes from the relief camps.
"A total of 2,955 polling stations will be set up in the state for the Lok Sabha elections, out of which around 50 per cent have been identified as sensitive, vulnerable or critical. We are also setting up 94 special polling stations to facilitate voting by internally displaced persons (IDPs)," Jha told PTI.
Jha also emphasised that special teams have been made to deal with these voters with empathy and added that they have started voter awareness activities. “The activities are being designed keeping in mind the sentiments of the displaced people who have lost the comfort of being in their home and there is some level of frustration and negativity," he added.
On the security arrangements in the state ahead of the Lok Sabha election 2024, Jha said, over 200 companies of paramilitary forces have been allocated to the state. "The idea is not only to ensure that the displaced voters do not miss out on the chance but also that they feel safe. Adequate security arrangements are being made across the state. Video surveillance has already begun and the entry and exit points are being monitored...it is obvious to have concerns about security considering the conflict in the state, however, these concerns are being addressed," he was quoted as saying by PTI.
At least 219 people have reportedly lost their lives and around 50,000 displaced since the ethnic clashes broke out in Manipur on May 3, 2023. The clashes in the northeastern state broke out on May 3 after the tribals of the Kuki community attended a ‘Solidarity March’ to protest against the inclusion of the majority Meitei community in the ST category.
The majority of internally displaced people are currently residing in relief camps across five valley districts and three hill districts, news agency PTI reported.
Meiteis make up around 53 per cent of the state’s population and live mainly in the Imphal Valley. While Tribals -- Nagas and Kukis -- constitute little more than 40 per cent and reside in the hill districts.