The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): On Monday, 15 April, the Supreme Court of India refused to grant a petition seeking special voting arrangements for approximately 18,000 people displaced by ethnic conflicts in Manipur. The plea aimed to enable these internally displaced persons (IDPs) to vote in the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, scheduled for 19 and 26 April across Manipur’s two parliamentary constituencies.
The bench, led by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, expressed concerns that accommodating the plea at this late stage could significantly disrupt the electoral process. “You have come at the last minute. At this stage, what can be virtually done? We cannot interfere at this stage,” remarked the bench during the proceedings.
The request was made by Manipur resident Naulak Khamsuanthang among others, who sought directives for the Election Commission of India (ECI) to establish special polling stations in states currently hosting the IDPs. This would have allowed displaced individuals to participate in the elections without having to return to Manipur, which remains tense following extensive ethnic violence.
The violence in Manipur escalated in May 2023, triggered by protests over the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. The conflict has resulted in over 160 deaths and numerous injuries, displacing thousands and leading many to seek refuge in relief camps far from their homes.
