SC dismisses plea to help displaced Manipuris

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to intervene in a petition filed by the Manipur Tribal Forum and two individuals seeking a direction to the Election Commission (EC) to make arrangements for persons who had fled the conflict and are currently residing in other States to vote in the Lok Sabha election.

A threejudge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud said that with merely three days left for polling in Manipur on April 19, it was too late for the court to intervene. “Interference at this belated stage would cause substantial impediments in the conduct of elections in Manipur,” Chief Justice Chandrachud reasoned.

‘Too late’

The EC countered the petition, saying they had approached the court too late.

“But some delay cannot take away my constitutional right to vote. I want to vote. Delay cannot be a reason for denial,” advocate Hetvi Patel, appearing for the petitioners, said.

The petition said there were around 18,000 internally displaced persons from Manipur who had fled the violence, which began on May 3, 2023, living in other States. It was impossible for them to enter Manipur, leave alone go to the constituency where they were registered as voters. The situation in their home State was still volatile as two people were killed in the hills only a day back, she said. Special booths could be set up for them in the States where they were residing now.

Ms. Patel noted how Kashmiri people living in other States had an option to either physically vote or vote through postal ballot.