Manipur: Over 24,500 IPDs to cast votes amidst special arrangements

IMPHAL: Over 24,500 Internally Displaced Persons (voters) are among 20,29,023 voters to exercise their franchise in the two Lok Sabha seats for Manipur which will go to the polls on April 19 and April 26.

There would be 2,955 polling stations in the two Parliamentary Constituencies The Election Commission of India arranged 94 Special Polling Stations in 10 districts in the state to facilitate voting by the IDPs. The special arrangements were made as over 61, 000 individuals belonging to the Meiteis and Kukis were displaced and they are taking shelter at different relief camps across the state owing to ethnic violence that started on May 3, 2023.

Manipur has two Lok Sabha constituencies: The inner Manipur constituency, encompassing the Meitei-majority valley areas, and the Outer Manipur constituency, designated for Scheduled Tribes (ST).

Also Read: All-stakeholder consultation meeting held for flood preparedness in Assam

The Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur Pradeep Kumar Jha in a statement said that Imphal West would have 8 special polling stations (3 for Inner, 5 for Outer), Imphal East 9 (5 for Inner, 4 for Outer), Bishnupur 22 (11 each for Inner and Outer), Thoubal 2 (1 each for Inner and Outer), Kakching 5 (2 for Inner, 3 for Outer), Churachandpur 15 (2 for Inner, 13 for Outer), Kangpokpi 24 (4 for Inner, 20 for Outer), Tengnoupal 4 (1 for Inner, 3 for Outer), Jiribam 1 (Outer), Ukhrul 4 (Outer).

The ensuing elections will be conducted in two phases, with the Inner Manipur seat scheduled for polling on April 19, while voters in the Outer Manipur constituency reserved for scheduled tribes will cast their votes on April 19 and 26. Manipur has 60 assembly seats.

Also Read: Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin makes a splash in Assam, bringing flavors of Northeast to gin lovers

Electors of 47 Assembly segments including all the Assembly segments of Inner Manipur PC and 15 Assembly segments of Outer Manipur PC would go to polls in the first phase on April 19.

The remaining 13 Assembly segments of Outer Manipur PC would go to polls in the second phase on April 26.

Notably, 32 Assembly segments come under Inner Manipur PC while 28 Assembly segments are clubbed under Outer Manipur PC.