Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo has urged the Union Home Minister to ensure a fair, transparent, and inclusive delimitation process in the state. His formal representation comes in response to a recent Supreme Court directive mandating the completion of the delimitation exercise in several states, including Manipur, within the next three months.
While welcoming the apex court’s decision, Singh stressed that certain key issues must be addressed to uphold the integrity of the process, given Manipur’s socio-political sensitivities and the disturbances witnessed over the past two years.
The MLA emphasized the urgent need to finalize the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur to ensure that electoral representation is reserved for genuine Indian citizens. He called for a comprehensive review of the electoral rolls to eliminate bogus voters, citing previous discrepancies in voter lists. Singh also acknowledged the Central Government’s ongoing efforts to detect and identify illegal immigrants but urged for faster execution of these measures.
Raising concerns over fraudulent documentation, Singh pointed out that 65,000 fake Aadhaar cards were detected during the tenure of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. He urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure Aadhaar-Voter ID linkage is only carried out after the removal of fake Aadhaar cards, thus maintaining electoral accuracy.
Additionally, RK Imo advocated for constitutional safeguards for the 40 Assembly seats in Manipur’s valley region, which are currently categorized as general seats. He proposed that these seats be reserved for indigenous valley residents to prevent demographic shifts and protect the socio-cultural identity of the region.
Calling for urgent intervention, RK Imo urged the Union Home Minister to direct the Delimitation Commission and relevant authorities to prioritize these measures before proceeding with the delimitation exercise. He asserted that implementing these safeguards would enhance public confidence, ensure fair representation, and contribute to long-term peace and stability in Manipur.
