Elections under diktats of peace pact signatories
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: February 28, 2022 -

FOR decades, Manipur has been witnessing various unwanted incidents over varied issues with conflicts during election times only compounding the problem and adding to woes of the people.

The state has a long history of women-spearheaded social and political movements to promote harmony and maintain stability in the society whereas prevention of election-related incidents has been out of their reach.

In the densely populated valley pockets, women vigilantes have been shouldering the responsibility of guarding their respective localities after dusk to check disruptive activities, but maintaining the same level of vigil in the sparsely inhabited hills would be an uphill task as the problem creators are generally groups of firearm wielding anti-social elements.

As the assembly election in maximum number of the assembly constituencies in the valley areas would be over by Monday evening, it is certain that the citizens would be heaving a sigh of relief in case there is no further report of clashes.

However, for those settling in the remaining assembly segments where votes would be cast in the second phase the five-day wait would definitely be extremely torturous and filled with tension especially after two Kuki armed outfits issued diktats to the electors to vote for candidates of a particular party.

Seriousness of the situation and escalation of tension in some assembly constituencies in the hills has already been reflected when the Congress party alleged that the ruling BJP is using armed organisations which are bound by the Suspension of Operation (SoO) pact to coerce voters and secure their victory in Kuki inhabited areas.

In the run-up to the assembly elections, some top Congress leaders had been alleging of an unholy collaboration between the BJP and the armed outfits whereas the NPP too has been raising posers why the bomb attacks and use of firearms are mainly targeting its nominees.

Amid strong suspicion that certain candidates or parties might take the help of armed outfits to intimidate their opponents and coerce the voters, the open statements issued by SoO signatories KNO and UKLF announcing support to BJP in the ensuing election and serving an ultimatum to the Kuki people to support BJP has corroborated that like in the past free and fair election wouldn't be possible.

Expectedly, the Congress party has termed the statement of KNO as a blatant violation of the election model code of conduct issued by the Election Commission of India while the BJP countered by asserting that it has nothing to do with decision of the outfit.

Contrary to the Congress accusing its arch rival of suppressing the people's democratic right, the BJP was quick to contend that the outfit's decision might be out of fondness and impressive record of the incumbent government.

The debate over whether or not the BJP or any other political organisation has nexus with any unlawful organisations will rage well after declaration of the election results.

The least that ECI or CEO Manipur could do under such circumstance is to deploy neutral security forces in sufficient numbers at vulnerable polling stations, inspire them to befittingly deal with rogue elements, instil sense of security among the local populace and advise the polling officials to record all irregularities.