Plea In Supreme Court To Allow Voters Displaced From Manipur To Vote In Lok Sabha Elections

Supreme Court today agreed to hear a plea seeking voting facilities in the upcoming elections for eighteen thousand internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the light of the ongoing Manipur crisis. 

The counsel for the petitioner, Ms Hetvi Patel had mentioned before the bench headed by CJI DY Chandrachud that 18000 internally displaced persons  want to cast their votes in the General Elections of 2024. It was further submitted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) rules permit voting of the  IDPs who are within the state. 

An early hearing of the matter was requested before the bench considering that the voting is scheduled to take place on April 19 in the State of Manipur. 

CJI DY Chandrachud assured of an early hearing. "It's not necessary for tomorrow, I'll give you an earlier date. Don't worry", he told the petitioner.

It may be noted that the ECI on March 16 announced that the General Elections in Manipur will take place in 4-phased manner. The people of Manipur will be voting for two Lok Sabha seats.