SC Declines Plea for Voting Facilities for Internally-Displaced Persons in Manipur Polls

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea on Monday seeking voting facilities for approximately 18,000 internally-displaced persons affected by ethnic strife in Manipur for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

Scheduled in two phases on April 19 and 26, the polling for the two Lok Sabha seats of Manipur will proceed without special arrangements for the displaced population.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra expressed reluctance to interfere at the last minute, citing potential disruptions to the electoral process.

The petition, filed by Manipur resident Naulak Khamsuanthang and others, urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to establish special polling booths in the states where internally-displaced persons are currently residing, enabling them to cast their votes in the Manipur elections.

Emphasizing the urgency of the matter, the petitioners’ counsel highlighted the plight of the displaced individuals and their desire to participate in the electoral process despite their current circumstances.

Since May 2023, Manipur has been embroiled in a cycle of violence stemming from ethnic tensions. The situation escalated following a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ in the hill districts, protesting the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status by the majority Meitei community.

Despite a decrease in the frequency and severity of violent incidents, a significant portion of the population remains displaced, residing in relief camps far from their homes.

The Supreme Court’s decision underscores the challenges faced in ensuring the inclusion of internally-displaced persons in the electoral process, particularly in regions affected by conflict and unrest.