With the completion of the re-poll in the 12 polling stations of the 4 assembly segments in Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituencies, 17th Lok Sabha, fate of the 19 candidates of both Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituencies are now sealed in EVMs. Who will represent the state from the two seats in the 17th Lok Sabha will only be known after the result is declared on May 23.
Of the 545 seats for the Lok Sabha, election across the country is being held for 542 seats in 7 phases. Election for the outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency, which is reserved for the Schedule Tribe, was held in the first Phase election, i.e., on April 11 along with 90 Parliamentary constituencies of 14 states and Union Territories of the country. As for the Inner Manipur Parliamentary constituency polling was held along with 94 parliamentary constituencies of 9 states and union territories in the second phase, i.e. on April 18.
In both the election of Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituencies, the so call festival of democracy nearly turned ugly with complaints of booth capture and proxy voting at many polling stations. The timely intervention of the Election Commission to the complaints regarding malpractice of voting in many constituencies proves that even though the electoral system of the country gives opportunity few anti-social to indulge in undemocratic activities, democracy of the country will be rescued by the mechanism in the constitution of the country.
After complaints from Political parties of gross malpractice in many of the polling stations during voting at outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency held on April 11, Election Commission of India announced re-poll in 19 polling stations of seven assembly segments in Senapati, Ukhrul, Churachandpur and Chandel districts. Similarly, re-poll was held in 12 Polling stations of Imphal East and Imphal West districts.
Differences of ideas on whom should be voted and who should not be voted, which even prompted supporters in poll violence is a clear indication of the existence of democracy amidst criticism and counter criticisms from various sections of people. The illiterate who believes in their own ideology have no fear fighting the elite class which believes in their own ideology. Election in the country, as witnessed here in Manipur, is perhaps the only time when anybody can speak up against any person – no matter he or she holds big post or not. A voter can show his or her power to voice for his or choice during election.
The critics on the first-past-the-post, regarding the politics of divide, even gives a clear picture of the festival of democracy. The one who can play all odds to get maximum voters is deserved the post as it is not only the clean hand that required to become the representatives of the people but also a good and intelligent politician that is needed for the people. People across the state has been hoping of a leader that can shack the parliament with the issues of the state and for that the candidate who played all games to get the required number of voters to win all the contenders is whom we need. The one who got elected is the man we need for the state like Manipur.
In persons, all the contenders of both the Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency have the quality. Saying so, the first among the best will be the one who got maximum voters.
A slightly different political culture seen in today’s Manipur is that, with the advent of the social networking platform in Information Technology, political consciousness among the people has rise among the people of the state. It is this political consciousness that makes worried to even the candidate of the ruling party.
Last time, i.e. during 16th Lok Sabha Election, political consciousness among the people was not that high and candidate of the ruling party easily got the seat.
But this time Manipur will have representatives elected by the people and who will represent for the people. Hail with the democracy.
