The Election Commission of India has introduced the Lok Sabha ballot dates for 2024. The voting for the 543 constituencies might be held in seven phases beginning April 19. In Phase-I on April 19, 102 Parliamentary seats will go to the polls whereas in Phase-2 on April 26, 89 constituencies will go to the polls. The third part of General elections might be held on May 7 for 94 constituencies. A complete of 96 Lok Sabha seats will go for polling in Phase 4 on May 13 whereas within the phase-5 on May 20, a complete of 49 Lok Sabha seats will go to the polls. The sixth part might be held on May 25 which is able to see polling on 57 constituencies. The seventh and closing part of Lok Sabha elections might be held on June 1 which is able to witness polling on 57 constituencies. The counting might be held on June 4.
However, when the ECI launched a full schedule, a Zee News reporter came upon that as an alternative of 543 constituencies, the Election Commission’s record had 544 constituencies. When the identical query was requested to the CEC Rajiv Kumar, he mentioned that one constituency in Manipur will go to the polls in two phases and thus as a result of repetition of the identify, the full added as much as 544 as an alternative of 543.
Manipur Lok Sabha Seats
Manipur is split into two Lok Sabha constituencies: the Inner Manipur constituency, primarily encompassing the Meitei-majority valley areas, and the Outer Manipur constituency, designated for Scheduled Tribes and traditionally represented by alternating Naga and Kuki-Zomi candidates. Thus, accounting for the violence and displaced individuals, the ECI determined to carry the polls within the Outer Manipur constituencies in two phases.
“The Commission has reviewed the bottom scenario of Manipur and has famous that a lot of electors registered in several constituencies of Manipur had been displaced from their native locations throughout latest conflicts. They at the moment are residing in Relief Camps in numerous districts of Manipur. The Commission, after due session with numerous stakeholders, has determined that particular polling stations shall be arrange at/close to the camps the place such electors, who go for such facility, will be capable to register their votes in EVMs. In this regard, an in depth scheme for internally displaced individuals of Manipur to vote in reduction camps has been issued by the Commission on twenty ninth February 2024.
Assembly-Wise Voting For Outer Manipur
Assembly segments Heirok, Wangjing Tentha, Khangabok, Wabgai, Kakching, Hiyanglam, Sugnoo, Chandel (ST), Saikul (ST), Kangpokpi, Saitu (ST), Henglep (ST), Churachandpur (ST), Saikot (ST) and Singhat (ST), falling within the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seats, will vote within the first part on April 19 whereas Jiribam, Tengnoupal (ST), Phungyar (ST), Ukhrul (ST), Chingai (ST), Karong (ST), Mao (ST), Tadubi (ST), Tamei (ST), Tamenglong (ST), Nungba (ST), Tipaimukh (ST) and Thanlon (ST) will vote within the second part on April 26.
Manipur Violence Shadows Polls
As per an Indian Express report, casual estimates recommend that roughly 23,000-25,000 voters have been displaced throughout the state. The general voter inhabitants in Manipur stands at 20.26 lakh. Following the ethnic clashes that erupted within the state on May 3 of the earlier yr, clear divisions have emerged between areas predominantly inhabited by the Kuki-Zomi and Meitei communities. Meiteis residing in areas dominated by the Kuki-Zomi have relocated to Meitei-majority areas within the valley districts of the state, whereas a reverse migration development has been noticed amongst Kuki-Zomis in Meitei-majority areas.
