IT News
Imphal, March 24:
Rajkumar Imo Singh, Member of the Manipur Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Sagolband Assembly Constituency, has submitted a formal representation to the Union Home Minister, urging a fair, transparent, and inclusive delimitation process in Manipur. His appeal follows a recent directive from the Supreme Court, which has instructed the completion of the delimitation exercise in several states, including Manipur, within the next three months.
While welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision, Singh emphasized that certain critical issues must be addressed first to maintain the integrity and fairness of the process. Given the socio-political sensitivities in Manipur and the disturbances witnessed over the past two years, he outlined several key measures that should be implemented before the delimitation exercise begins.
Rajkumar Imo Singh underscored the need to finalize the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Manipur to ensure that representation within the democratic framework is reserved for genuine Indian citizens. He stressed that this step is crucial for maintaining electoral integrity and preventing unauthorized entries into the voter lists. The MLA also acknowledged the Central Government’s efforts to detect and identify illegal immigrants but urged for faster execution of these measures. He called for a thorough review of the electoral rolls to eliminate bogus voters, citing previous reports of discrepancies in voter lists.
Highlighting concerns over fraudulent documentation, Rajkumar Imo Singh pointed out that during the tenure of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, 65,000 fake Aadhaar cards were detected. He urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure that Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage is preceded by the removal of fake Aadhaar cards, ensuring accuracy and reliability in the electoral process. He further advocated for constitutional safeguards for the 40 Assembly seats in Manipur’s valley region, which are currently categorized as general seats. According to him, reserving these seats for indigenous valley residents is necessary to prevent demographic shifts and safeguard the socio-cultural identity of the region.
Rajkumar Imo Singh urged the Union Home Minister to instruct the Delimitation Commission and relevant authorities to prioritize these measures before proceeding with the delimitation process. He stressed that addressing these concerns would strengthen public confidence, ensure fair representation, and contribute to long-term peace and stability in Manipur. His representation reflects growing concerns among various stakeholders regarding electoral integrity and demographic security, particularly in light of recent political unrest and uncertainties in the state.
