EC allows Manipur unrest victims to vote at relief camps

Guwahati: The Election Commission has announced a mechanism that will allow Manipur's internally displaced people to vote at relief camps. The ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis displaced approximately 60,000 individuals, the vast majority of whom were housed in relief camps throughout several areas. In addition, numerous people have sought refuge in surrounding states.

The displaced electors continue to be enrolled in the communities where they lived before the crisis. Following deliberations with the central and state administrations, the EC directed that they remain on the electoral rolls of Manipur's Assembly and parliamentary constituencies, the New Indian Express reported.

The EC announced that internally displaced voters would be able to vote at "special polling stations" set up in relief camps.

The election in the "special polling stations" will be held using separate EVMs, and all rules, directions, and instructions applicable to voting at the original polling stations will also be applicable to these special polling stations.

The EC stated that contesting candidates would be notified in writing of the location of "special polling stations" and asked to depute their agents if they wanted to witness the voting process. The polling will be conducted under webcast.