Around 2,000 cadre of various militant groups living in designated camps after signing a tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO), a ceasefire pact, with the State and Central Governments in 2008, will now cast their votes in the forthcoming Assembly polls in Manipur. Although they will not go to the polling stations to cast their vote, they have been allowed to vote through Postal Ballots.
The Election Commission (EC) has allowed members of Manipur militant groups that signed ceasefire agreements with the government, whose names are listed in the electoral rolls and who are currently residing at various designated camps to vote in the forthcoming assembly polls by postal ballot. The state polls are scheduled to be held in two phases on February 27 and March 3.
According to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur, the EC has allowed the cadres of the pro-talks militant outfits which are under ceasefire agreements with the government and those who are currently residing at various designated camps in the state to cast their votes.
The decision was made considering that a number of persons belonging to the SoO and MoU groups living in the 14 designated camps in Manipur have been enrolled in the electoral rolls of various assembly constituencies of the state. The poll panel has taken the decision in exercise of powers conferred by clause (c) of Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and in consultation with the central government and state government.
According to officials, over 20 Kuki militant groups operating in the state under two conglomerate groups — United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO) — had signed a tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO), a ceasefire pact with the state and central governments in 2008.
The EC has directed that these electors shall be allowed to vote by postal ballot, taking into account the right of franchise of such electors as they cannot move out of the said designated camps, the statement
said.
The notification further mentioned that a survey shall be made for appropriate location of Postal Ballot Facilitation Centers (PBFC) for distribution, recording, collection of PB in different camps of SoO and MoU groups.
Manipur has a total of 60 Assembly constituencies. In the first phase, elections will be held for as many as 38 constituencies and the remaining 22 constituencies will vote in the second phase.