- NET Web Desk
Election Commission of India (ECI) through a notification issued on Friday, asserted that cadres of insurgent groups which have signed ceasefire agreement with Government of India (GoI), and placed-up into various designated camps of Manipur are entitled to cast their votes through postal ballots.
The decision has been taken in exercise of powers conferred by clause (c) of Section 60 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and in consultation with the Central Government, as informed by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Manipur.
According to TOI report, over 20 Kuki militant groups operating in Manipur under the umbrella of two conglomerate groups — United People’s Front (UPF) and Kuki National Organization (KNO) — had signed a tripartite Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement with the state government and the Government of India (GoI) in 2008. Besides, these militant-groups have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre.
Its worthy to note that the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced the schedule of upcoming Assembly polls in 5 states – Manipur, Goa, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Incorporating of 60-member state assembly, polls in the northeastern state of Manipur will be conducted in two phases – on February 27 and March 3.
