Outer Manipur's Unique Polling: Two-Day Voting Amid Single-Phase State Elections

In the Lok Sabha elections, Manipur, which has been affected by ethnic violence, will see voting conducted in a single phase, with one of the two constituencies having voting spread over two days.

The Inner Manipur seat is scheduled for polling on April 19, while voters in Outer Manipur will cast their votes on April 19 and 26 due to the security situation in the state, which has witnessed violence since May 23 last year.

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Outer Manipur's Unique Polling - What it means?

The Inner Manipur seat, with a significant Meitei voter base, is currently held by BJP's Dr Ranjan Kumar Rajkumar, a Minister of State in the Narendra Modi government, while the Outer Manipur constituency, comprising 28 Assembly seats, is represented by NPP's Dr Lorho S Pfoze.

Fifteen of the Assembly seats in Outer Manipur, including Kuki-dominated Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Kakching, as well as Muslim-dominated Wabgai, will go to polls on April 19, while voters in the remaining Assembly seats, including Naga-dominated Ukhrul, Tengnoupal, Tamenglong, and Tipaimukh, will vote on April 26. Although Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar acknowledged that Outer Manipur will vote over two days, the specific reason was not specified by him.

Kumar stated that displaced voters currently residing in relief camps would be allowed to vote in such camps, with special polling stations to be established at or near the camps for such electors to register their votes using EVMs. The Election Commission issued a comprehensive scheme on February 29 for internally displaced persons of Manipur to cast their votes in relief camps.

Two-Day Voting Amid Single-Phase State Elections - Top Updates

Amidst heightened political tensions, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has unveiled the dates for the Lok Sabha elections. The polling is scheduled to commence on April 19 and conclude on June 1, with the announcement of results expected on June 4.

Explanation for Additional Lok Sabha Seat

While announcing the election schedule, the ECI noted a total of 544 Lok Sabha seats instead of the usual 543. However, it clarified that no new constituency was added. The discrepancy arose due to Manipur's unique two-phase voting arrangement for one of its constituencies.

Manipur Votes in Two Phases

Manipur, a northeastern state, will witness voting in two phases. The voting process for Inner Manipur and select areas of Outer Manipur is set to take place on April 19. Meanwhile, the remaining segments of Outer Manipur will cast their votes on April 26.

Reasoning Behind Two-Phase Voting

The decision to conduct voting in two phases in Manipur stemmed from the ongoing displacement and security concerns arising from ethnic clashes since May 3 of the previous year. The state has experienced recurring violence, prompting authorities to adopt cautious measures to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process.

Challenges and Considerations

Authorities highlighted challenges such as the shortage of human resources and security considerations, particularly in the context of the imminent onset of heavy rainfall in the Northeast. These factors necessitated the decision to conduct elections at the earliest feasible dates to mitigate risks and ensure efficient electoral administration.

Inclusion of Displaced Voters

Recognizing the challenges faced by individuals residing in camps due to the unrest, the Election Commission announced provisions allowing displaced voters in Manipur to cast their votes from their respective camp locations during the elections.

Current Representation and Reservations

The current parliamentary representation sees the Inner Manipur seat held by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), while the Outer Manipur seat is represented by the Naga People's Front (NPF). Notably, the Outer Manipur constituency is reserved for scheduled tribes as per electoral guidelines.

Displaced Population Statistics

Statistics reveal that security forces have rescued over 25,000 individuals, with approximately 50,000 people currently residing in camps due to the prevailing unrest. These figures underscore the significance of addressing the needs and rights of displaced populations within the electoral framework.