In a bid to ensure fair and inclusive participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election, the Meitei Heritage Society has penned a heartfelt letter to Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India. The letter, dated March 25, 2024, highlights the pressing need to extend the postal ballot facility to voters from Manipur who are displaced and residing outside the state due to the ongoing conflict.
The society’s appeal underscores the essence of the Postal Ballot system’s motto: “No voter to be left behind.” It emphasises the necessity of empowering thousands of voters from Manipur to exercise their democratic rights, despite being displaced from their homes.
Enumerating the challenges faced by displaced Manipur voters, the letter notes the significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, with over 60,000 people affected. While the Election Commission has commendably established schemes for IDPs to vote at relief camps, it fails to address the plight of those who have left the camps in search of livelihood elsewhere in the country.
Highlighting the dire economic situation in Manipur, exacerbated by the conflict, the letter emphasises the impracticality of travel for displaced voters. With economic activities at a standstill and security concerns looming large, many voters residing outside the state find themselves unable to travel back to Manipur to cast their votes.
The Meitei Heritage Society implores the Election Commission to extend the postal ballot facility to all eligible voters from Manipur residing outside the state, provided they hold a valid voter ID card. Such an extension, the society argues, would ensure that the voices of displaced Manipur voters resonate in the democratic process, even amidst the state’s tumultuous period.
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The letter concludes with a hopeful anticipation of a positive response from the Election Commission, reaffirming the society’s readiness to assist in any capacity necessary. It stands as a poignant reminder of the fundamental principles of democracy and the imperative to safeguard the rights of every citizen, especially in times of crisis.
The Meitei Heritage Society’s impassioned plea serves as a poignant call to action, urging authorities to uphold the integrity of India’s democratic system by extending electoral provisions to those most in need.
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