In Imphal and New Delhi, a heartfelt plea emerges: “Do not cast us as outsiders.” Driven away from their native land amidst the turmoil of clashes that erupted last year, Manipuris seek refuge in other regions of the nation, yearning to participate in the electoral process for the Lok Sabha elections. However, their aspirations remain unmet due to the absence of provisions enabling their participation.
While those displaced and residing in relief camps within strife-torn Manipur will have the opportunity to cast their votes in the imminent elections commencing on April 19, no such privilege extends to those scattered beyond the state borders, reluctant to return home due to lingering safety concerns. Officials assert the impracticality of facilitating their voting process.
Historically, Manipur boasts a significant voter turnout, surpassing 82 percent in the 2019 elections. Presently, the specter of ethnic violence looms large, prompting various civil society groups and displaced individuals to question the rationale behind conducting elections amid prevailing circumstances.
Advocates representing both the Kuki-Zo and Meitei factions petition the Election Commission, advocating for the inclusion of displaced individuals in the electoral process through postal ballots, if no alternative arrangements can be devised.
Biren Chandam, a displaced Manipuri now residing in Delhi, articulates the collective sentiment: “We find ourselves in distant lands, yearning to contribute to the electoral process of our homeland. Yet, we remain disenfranchised, feeling alienated within our own state.”
Similarly, Kumthai, a tribal from Manipur taking refuge in a relief camp in Mizoram, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for political representation to navigate the current crisis.
In a concerted effort, ten Manipur MLAs representing the Kuki-Zo community petition the Election Commission, underscoring the imperative of accommodating displaced members in the electoral process, lest they are deprived of their constitutional rights.
Concurrently, a Meitei civil society group urges the extension of postal ballot facilities to Manipuris residing beyond state boundaries, citing logistical and security constraints inhibiting their return.
Notably, the ethnic divide exacerbates the challenge, rendering road travel perilous for Meiteis through Kuki-Zo-dominated areas, while flights to Imphal valley remain inaccessible to Kuki-Zo tribes.
State officials express skepticism regarding the feasibility of extending voting facilities to those outside the state, citing logistical complexities and an absence of comprehensive data.
According to estimates by the Mizoram Home Department, approximately 9,196 individuals from Manipur have sought refuge in various parts of the state, further complicating the electoral landscape.
Pradeep Kumar Jha, Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur, confirms eligibility for over 24,000 displaced persons residing in relief camps within the state, yet remains reticent on addressing demands for extending voting facilities to those displaced beyond state borders.
In response to a plea filed before the Supreme Court, Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud assures an expeditious hearing regarding voting arrangements for around 18,000 internally displaced persons affected by the ethnic strife in Manipur.
The strife, escalating since May 3 of the preceding year, has claimed over 200 lives, underscoring the urgency of addressing the electoral disenfranchisement of displaced communities.
With Manipur poised for parliamentary elections across its two constituencies, the specter of ethnic conflict casts a shadow over the electoral landscape, necessitating swift and equitable resolutions to ensure the democratic participation of all citizens.