Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 22 (EMN): The Election Commission of India (ECI) has notified that members of the Manipur militant groups are entitled to vote by Postal Ballot (PB) in the upcoming assembly elections.
The militant groups would include those who have signed Suspension of Operation (SoO) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government and are currently stationed at the designated camps.
This was informed by joint chief electoral officer of Manipur, Ramananda Nongmeikapam during a press conference in Imphal on Saturday.
The decision was taken in exercise of powers conferred by clause of Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and in consultation with the Central Government, the joint chief electoral officer said.
Earlier in a press release, the office of the CEO Manipur on Jan. 21 night said that the decision was made considering that people belonging to the SoO and MoU groups living in the 14 designated camps in Manipur have been enrolled in the electoral rolls of various Assembly Constituencies of the state.
As such, the ECI has directed that these electors shall be allowed to vote by PB taking into account the right of franchise of such electors as they cannot move out of the said designated camps.
“The notification further mentioned that a survey shall be made for appropriate location of Postal Ballot Facilitation Centers (PBFC) for distribution, recording, collection of PB in different camps of SoO and MoU groups,” the release said.
“Such proposed PBFCs will have facilities for the assistant returning officer’s (ARO) office, place to record votes, party representatives to watch the proceedings from a distance and collection of recorded votes,” it said.
Efforts will be made to see that voters are not required to travel more than prescribed limits to cast their vote. Hence, PBFC’s location will be finalised as required.
In order to implement the PB facility given to the electors residing in these designated camps in the state for SoO and MoU groups, ARO/nodal officers appointed for these camps will be given responsibility to provide necessary forms and collect sealed PB to be dropped in drop boxes by the notified electors. The ARO shall further ensure that the marked PBs reach the returning officer well before the commencement of votes, it added.
It may be mentioned that presently more than 20 Kuki militant groups under two umbrella bodies -- United People’s Front and Kuki National Organisation -- are under SoO in the northeastern state since August 2008.