MPP lauds RS MP for advocating uniform electoral rights
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 22 2021: Manipur People's Party (MPP) has stated that the issue brought up by Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba with regard to partial electoral rights entitled to the people of eight assembly segments clubbed in the Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency.

In a statement, MPP vice president Dr S Ibomcha recounted that after Manipur merged with India, the first Outer Parliamentary Election was held in 1952 granting voting rights to people in the 8 assembly segments of the state.

However, a restriction was placed prohibiting anyone from contesting in the polls for over 70 years, despite repeated requests by the people to give them the right to contest in the polls.

Appreciating MP Leishemba Sanajaoba for understanding the aspirations of the people of Sugnu, Hiyanglam, Wabagai, Kakching, Wangjing Tentha, Heirok, Thoubal and Jiribam assembly constituencies to either contest in the polls or include them in the Inner Manipur Parliamentary Constituency and bringing up the issue to the attention of the parliament during the recent monsoon session; MPP said that the people in the 8 assembly segments have been taken as reserved citizens for the past 70 years.

"Sekmai falls under the reserved ACs list and the general population is barred from contesting in the elections, while those in valley areas namely Andro, Kakching, Wabagai, Thanga and Sugnu are permitted to do so.

Thus, it can be said that the Indian Constitution does not treat its citizens equally", it remarked.

The party then demanded for the denizens of the 8 ACs to be allowed to contest in the elections if they have already been granted the right to vote and also urged the three MPs of the state to take the responsibility for resolving the same.

Further urging the government of India to explore means for amalgamation of the inner and outer parliamentary constituencies into a single Manipur Parliamentary constituency; the party commented that BJP government should do something to rectify the prevailing image of two governments.

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