The Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, has urged the authorities to introduce special measures to ensure that internally displaced persons (IDPs) are not excluded from the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Manipur.
In a memorandum submitted to the Governor and the Chief Electoral Officer of Manipur, the organisation said the ethnic conflict had forced thousands of people from their homes and resulted in the loss or destruction of essential identity and civil documents.
The Kuki Inpi said the displacement of voters from their original places of residence, coupled with difficulties in retrieving or replacing lost documents, had made the verification process particularly challenging for IDP families.
It warned that eligible voters could potentially be left out of the electoral rolls due to circumstances beyond their control.
The organisation also drew attention to the financial and administrative hurdles involved in obtaining replacement documents. It claimed that obtaining documents such as birth certificates could involve fees of around Rs 300 to Rs 600, placing an additional burden on displaced families.
With large numbers of people reportedly seeking replacement documents, applicants are facing long queues and delays. Documents destroyed or lost during the conflict could take considerable time to replace, the organisation said.
Against this backdrop, the Kuki Inpi has sought an adequate extension of the SIR deadline to allow displaced citizens sufficient time to complete the verification process.
It has also called for dedicated facilitation and verification mechanisms for IDP voters, particularly those currently living outside their original areas of residence.
The organisation urged election authorities to consider alternative and flexible verification procedures in cases where required documents have been lost, destroyed or become inaccessible because of conflict and displacement.
It further demanded a simplified and expedited system for displaced citizens to obtain replacement identity and civil documents.
The Kuki Inpi stressed that genuine voters should not lose their right to vote simply because they are unable to produce documents that were lost or destroyed as a result of the conflict.
It said special safeguards were necessary to prevent the electoral revision exercise from disproportionately affecting displaced communities and to ensure that the final electoral roll remains inclusive.
The organisation has sought immediate intervention from the Governor and the Chief Electoral Officer to address the documentation-related difficulties faced by IDPs and ensure that all eligible displaced voters are given a fair opportunity to participate in the electoral process.
