EC approves postal ballots for SoO cadres
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 22 2022: The Election Commission of India on Friday announced that members of the militant groups in the state that signed ceasefire agreements with the government would be allowed to vote in the upcoming assembly elections.

The poll panel notified that that cadres of pro-talk rebel outfits, residing at various designated camps, whose names are listed in electoral rolls can vote by postal ballot.

Polling in Manipur will be held in two phases starting February 27 .

Counting of votes will take place on March 10.In 2008, over 20 Kuki militant groups had signed a tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the Centre and the state government.

These 20 militant groups were part of two conglomerate groups - United People's Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organisation (KNO).

Members of these groups have since been residing at designated camps set up by the government in different Kuki-dominated areas in the state.

The EC has taken the decision in exercise of powers conferred by clause (c) of Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and in consultation with the central governments, said the chief electoral officer (CEO) of Manipur in a statement.

The poll body said that the decision was made as a number of persons from the SoO and MoU groups who were living across 14 designated camps in the state had registered in the electoral rolls of various assembly constituencies.

As such, the EC has directed that these electors shall be allowed to vote by postal ballot, taking into account the right of franchise of such electors as they cannot move out of the said designated camps, the statement said.

Efforts will be made to see that voters are not required to travel more than the prescribed limit to cast their vote and hence, the centres' location will be finalised as required, it said.

The notification further mentioned that a survey shall be made for appropriate location of Postal Ballot Facilitation Centres (PBFC) for distribution, recording, collection of PB in different camps of Suspension of Operation (SoO) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) groups.

Such proposed Postal Ballot Facilitation Centres will have facilities for ARO's office, place to record vote, party representatives to watch the proceedings from a distance and collection of recorded votes.

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 to collect sealed containing PB to be dropped in drop box by the notified electors.

The ARO shall further ensure that the marked PBs reach the returning officer (RO) well before the commencement of votes.

On Saturday, Joint Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Manipur Ramananda Nongmeikapam briefed the media on importance of publication of Criminal Antecedents and Postal Ballot (PB) at the CEO office's conference.

Stressing on the importance of publication of Criminal Antecedents, the Joint CEO said that the details of the candidate shall be published in one of the local vernacular newspaper and one national newspaper shortlisted by the CEO within 48 hours of the selection of the candidate or not less than two weeks before the first date for filing of nominations, whichever is earlier.

It should also be uploaded on the official social media platforms of the political party, including Facebook and Twitter.

On publication of Criminal Antecedents, Ramananda said that it should include detailed information regarding individuals (candidate) with pending criminal cases including nature of the offences and relevant particulars as to whether charges have been framed, Court concerned, case number and other relevant information.

Clarity should be given regarding the selected candidate, the reasons for such selection and also as to why other individuals without criminal antecedents could not be selected as candidates.

It should also mention the reasons as to how selections are made not merely on 'winnability' in the polls but also with reference to the qualifications, achievements and merit of the candidate concerned.

The political party concerned should also submit a report of compliance with these directions to the Election Commission within 72 hours of the selection of the said candidate, he added The Joint CEO further informed that till date, 929 Postal Ballot forms have been received out of 33,376 Postal Ballot (PB) forms issued.

Out of the total PB forms issued, 23,393 PB forms had been issued to 80 years and above electors out of which 807 have been submitted while 122 PB forms have been received out of 6988 PB forms issued to People with Disabilities (PWDs) .

So far, 1140 Covid-19 affected persons and 1855 persons employed in essential services had applied for PB forms.

Ramananda said that the postal ballot is an option facilitated by the ECI for exercising the franchise for the PwDs and individuals above 80 years and is not mandatory.

If they wish to cast their vote, they can come out on the poll day and cast their votes physically at their respective polling stations.

He further stated that in the state there are 14 designated camps housing 2177 cadres who are qualified electors belonging to 23 different UG Groups under Suspension of Operation (SoO) and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) .

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