NEW DELHI: While addressing a briefing on Lok Sabha poll dates on Saturday,
Election Commission said that individuals residing in camps in violence-hit Manipur will have the opportunity to cast their votes from camps in the upcoming
Lok Sabha elections.
Responding to a question on Manipur during the announcement of dates of the Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said "we will make all arrangements."
"We have drawn a scheme, which we have notified...
to allow the voters in the camp to vote from the camp. Like there is a scheme for Jammu and Kashmir migrants... same way the scheme will implemented in Manipur. Voters will be allowed to vote from the respective camps... from the lower constituency to higher and higher to lower," Kumar said.
The electoral process in Manipur is scheduled to occur in two phases, with the first phase slated for April 19 and the second phase for April 26.
In his appeal to the electorate, Kumar emphasized the importance of peaceful participation in the elections through the ballot. He urged voters to engage in the democratic process, assuring them of the necessary arrangements to facilitate their participation.
Ongoing ethnic clashes between the Meitei and tribal Kuki communities in Manipur have persisted since May of the previous year. These conflicts have resulted in the loss of over 200 lives.
In response to the unrest, security forces have undertaken rescue operations, aiding over 25,000 individuals so far. Approximately 50,000 people remain displaced, taking refuge in camps established to provide shelter amidst the turmoil.
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