CCSK for delimitation on correct headcount
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 11 2020:
As delimitation is a democratic process to ensure equal rights, opportunity and development, it should be conducted based on the right headcount that will serve the people right, said Committee of Civil Societies Kangleipak (CCSK) .
"We welcome the planned delimitation process provided it is based on a census free of controversies," it said in a statement today.
Registering its stand against the planned delimitation based on the 'controversial' 2001 census, the committee said every community and their leaders should not push for the delimitation solely based on their own interests.
Delimitation is a democratic process that would ensure equal representation of the people in Government and equal development and opportunity.
It is a process that should serve all and thus this should be conducted based on a true census data, it said.
No individual, community and political party should use the delimitation process as a tool to push their own agenda and interests.
All should put an end to comments that may flare tension between communities.
Communities shouldn't be driven by emotion without knowing the check and balance and the facts and figures surrounding the 2001 census.
Advising some communities and organisations concerned that they should not set ultimatum, driven solely by emotion, and demand that the delimitation should be conducted by any means, CCSK asserted that the remaining communities concerned should not be apprehensive that they would lose seats/Constituencies if the delimitation is conducted.
Whoever loses or gains seats depend on the population size of the area concerned.
It (gaining or losing seats) is a result of a democratic process that would serve the whole of the population and ensure equal development.
The concern of the people should be whether the process (delimitation) is being conducted based on the right census or not.
Other than this, people should not have any problem with the delimitation, whether some areas lose or gain seat(s), said CCSK asserting that the planned delimitation based on the 2001 census however would not serve the true purpose of the process.
Stating that the 2001 census data had recorded 'abnormal population growth' in some subdivisions such as Mao, Maram, Paomata, Purul, Chakpikarong etc, CCSK said the planned delimitation should wait till 2026 or based on 2021 census which would reflect the right headcount.
It reiterated that the 2001 census which recorded decadal growth of more than 140 percent in some of the subdivisions will not serve as a good base for the planned delimitation.
CCSK also appealed all to solve "our problems" internally without the influence of outsiders.
Giving others the right to intervene and settle the internal problems and issues would set a bad precedence and it would harm the State's interest, the committee said.