Imphal, Eleven months of conflict, over 50,000 displaced people and anti-poll sentiment among some people---The Election Commission in violence-hit Manipur is gearing up for the challenging task of conducting Lok Sabha elections in a state which is in an electoral mood. silence.
Chief Electoral Officer, Pradeep Kumar Jha said that more than 24,500 displaced people have been identified as eligible to vote in the upcoming elections and special arrangements have been made for them to exercise their franchise from relief camps.
"A total of 2,955 polling stations will be set up in the state for the Lok Sabha elections, of which about 50 per cent have been identified as sensitive, susceptible or critical. We will also set up 94 special polling stations to facilitate voting internally. Have been." Displaced Persons (IDPs),” Jha told PTI.
As per the norms of the Election Commission of India (ECI), vulnerability mapping of hamlets, villages and electoral areas in terms of threat and fear is conducted before voting."Special teams have been formed to deal sympathetically with these voters and we have also started voter awareness activities. The activities are being designed keeping in mind the sentiments of the displaced people, who have lost the comfort of their homes. Lost and have some problems, he said, the level of disappointment and negativity.
At least 219 people have been killed in the caste conflict in the state that started on May 3 last year after a 'tribal solidarity march' was organized in the hill districts in protest of the Meitei community's demand for granting them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
More than 50,000 internally displaced people are currently living in relief centers in five valley districts and three hill districts.
Scheduled in two phases on 19 and 26 April, the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur have drawn attention for the voting arrangements of the displaced population.
Many civil society groups and affected people have been questioning the relevance of elections in the conflict-torn state.There has also been a demand from many quarters to boycott the elections.
Sharing the figures, Jha said that there are more than 20 lakh voters in the state, out of which the number of female voters is more than male voters.
"The state has traditionally seen very high voter turnout in previous elections, which reflects people's confidence in the election process. Even though some people may be feeling negative about it, we are about making each vote count." Trying to create awareness and take some confidence building measures,” he said.
When asked about security arrangements for the elections, Jha said that more than 200 companies of paramilitary forces have been allotted to the state.
“The idea is not only to ensure that displaced voters do not miss the opportunity, but also that they feel safe.Adequate security arrangements are being made across the state. Video surveillance has already started and entry and exit points are being monitored. ...Given the conflict in the state, there are obvious security concerns, however, these concerns are being addressed,'' he said.
Posters of political parties, mega rallies and visible movement of leaders – traditional elements of election campaigning – are clearly missing in violence-hit Manipur, where voting for the Lok Sabha elections is due in less than two weeks.
The only visible sign of impending elections are hoardings put up by local election authorities, urging citizens to exercise their franchise.
Amid the muted election scenario, key party leaders have avoided visiting the conflict-torn state to campaign for votes or make poll pledges.Jha admitted that the campaign is low-key in the state, but there is no restriction from the Election Commission.
He said, “There is no restriction on election campaigning by the Election Commission, which is within the limits of the Model Code of Conduct."
Chief Electoral Officer, Pradeep Kumar Jha said that more than 24,500 displaced people have been identified as eligible to vote in the upcoming elections and special arrangements have been made for them to exercise their franchise from relief camps.
"A total of 2,955 polling stations will be set up in the state for the Lok Sabha elections, of which about 50 per cent have been identified as sensitive, susceptible or critical. We will also set up 94 special polling stations to facilitate voting internally. Have been." Displaced Persons (IDPs),” Jha told PTI.
As per the norms of the Election Commission of India (ECI), vulnerability mapping of hamlets, villages and electoral areas in terms of threat and fear is conducted before voting."Special teams have been formed to deal sympathetically with these voters and we have also started voter awareness activities. The activities are being designed keeping in mind the sentiments of the displaced people, who have lost the comfort of their homes. Lost and have some problems, he said, the level of disappointment and negativity.
At least 219 people have been killed in the caste conflict in the state that started on May 3 last year after a 'tribal solidarity march' was organized in the hill districts in protest of the Meitei community's demand for granting them Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
More than 50,000 internally displaced people are currently living in relief centers in five valley districts and three hill districts.
Scheduled in two phases on 19 and 26 April, the Lok Sabha elections in Manipur have drawn attention for the voting arrangements of the displaced population.
Many civil society groups and affected people have been questioning the relevance of elections in the conflict-torn state.There has also been a demand from many quarters to boycott the elections.
Sharing the figures, Jha said that there are more than 20 lakh voters in the state, out of which the number of female voters is more than male voters.
"The state has traditionally seen very high voter turnout in previous elections, which reflects people's confidence in the election process. Even though some people may be feeling negative about it, we are about making each vote count." Trying to create awareness and take some confidence building measures,” he said.
When asked about security arrangements for the elections, Jha said that more than 200 companies of paramilitary forces have been allotted to the state.
“The idea is not only to ensure that displaced voters do not miss the opportunity, but also that they feel safe.Adequate security arrangements are being made across the state. Video surveillance has already started and entry and exit points are being monitored. ...Given the conflict in the state, there are obvious security concerns, however, these concerns are being addressed,'' he said.
Posters of political parties, mega rallies and visible movement of leaders – traditional elements of election campaigning – are clearly missing in violence-hit Manipur, where voting for the Lok Sabha elections is due in less than two weeks.
The only visible sign of impending elections are hoardings put up by local election authorities, urging citizens to exercise their franchise.
Amid the muted election scenario, key party leaders have avoided visiting the conflict-torn state to campaign for votes or make poll pledges.Jha admitted that the campaign is low-key in the state, but there is no restriction from the Election Commission.
He said, “There is no restriction on election campaigning by the Election Commission, which is within the limits of the Model Code of Conduct."
