After eleven months of conflict, with over 50,000 displaced people, the Election Commission in violence-hit Manipur is gearing up for the challenging task of holding Lok Sabha elections in the state where the poll scene is muted. Forced to leave their State after clashes broke out last year, there has been a plea from Manipuris, who fled to other parts of the country to escape the violence, to be able to vote in these elections. Displaced people living in relief camps in conflict-hit Manipur will reportedly be able to vote in the coming elections beginning April 19. However, there is no such arrangement for those outside the State unable to return home because the authorities feel it's still not safe. Hence getting them to vote is not feasible. Manipur has traditionally seen a very high voter turnout with more than 82% polling recorded in the 2019 elections. It is learnt that over 24,500 displaced people have been identified as eligible to vote in the upcoming elections and special arrangements have been made for them to cast their franchise from relief camps. A total of 2,955 polling stations will reportedly be set up in the state for the Lok Sabha elections, out of which around 50 per cent have been identified as sensitive, vulnerable or critical.
