SANULAL to stay away from polls
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 05 2024: Opposing the conduct of the 18th Lok Sabha elections 2024 in the midst of the Manipur crisis, Salai Apunba Nupi Lamjing Lup (SANULAL) has declared that the Lup will not participate in the electoral polls.

Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club, Akoijam Shanti, general secretary, SANULAL stated that it is wrong to conduct the MP elections when the protracted conflict which broke out in May, 2023 has crossed its eleventh month.

Instead of addressing the human suffering and loss caused by the conflict, the Government has ignored it for the sake of elections thus placing more priority on the polls rather than human lives, she maintained.

Stating that the ruling party is increasingly becoming autocratic, she pointed out that SANULAL does not have the power to stop the Lok Sabha elections and if any attempts are made to this end, large number of security personnel will be deployed and the polls will be conducted by force.

However, as citizens of a democratic country, those who oppose the elections should refrain from casting their votes.

Thus, she declared that SANULAL will not impede the electoral process but exercise their right to not participate in the polls.

In the same vein, she urged people across community lines to avoid casting their votes.

Akoijam Shanti also suggested that people can wear black ribbons to oppose the Lok Sabha elections or put up banners/festoons at appropriate locations.

In addition, people can "boycott" or polls can be conducted on talk shows and other media platforms to gauge people's support or opposition to the MP elections.

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