Supreme Court Declines Plea for Displaced Persons' Voting Rights in Manipur

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking arrangements for approximately 18,000 individuals displaced by ethnic violence in Manipur to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, cited the lateness of the petition and the practical challenges in making last-minute arrangements.

In its order, the Court acknowledged the petitioner's concerns but emphasized that intervening at this juncture would disrupt the electoral process, especially with Manipur's polling scheduled for April 19. The logistical complexities of facilitating voting for displaced persons in such a short timeframe were deemed impracticable.

While recognizing the sincerity of the petitioner's claim, the Court underscored the constitutional mandate of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to oversee electoral policies and arrangements. It noted that the ECI requires adequate time for administrative preparations, particularly given the large number of displaced persons scattered across different locations.

The plea highlighted the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were compelled to flee their homes due to violence in Manipur. It alleged that the Election Commission had neglected the voting rights of these individuals, leaving them disenfranchised.

Advocates Hetvi Patel and Kaoliangpou Kamei, representing the petitioner, argued that the ECI's inaction amounted to a denial of democratic rights for the Kuki-Zo-Hmar IDPs. The plea was filed through advocate Satya Mitra.

The Supreme Court has already seized multiple petitions related to the Manipur violence. Previously, it had formed an all-woman judicial committee headed by Justice Mittal to review the investigative efforts into the incidents. Additionally, in November 2023, the Court directed the Manipur government to ensure proper burial for unidentified bodies arising from the violence.

While the Supreme Court declined immediate relief for displaced voters, the broader issue of ensuring electoral participation for marginalized communities remains pertinent, warranting sustained attention and legal scrutiny.

Author: Anushka Taraniya

News Writer, MIT ADT University