As SIR Begins in Kangpokpi, KIM Demands Immediate Halt Until Displaced Voters Are Accommodated

Even as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls commenced in Kangpokpi district on Thursday, June 4, with a significant public turnout, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) mounted a strong challenge to the exercise, demanding its immediate suspension until adequate arrangements are made for thousands of conflict-displaced voters across the state.

The SIR exercise began at the Community Hall in Kangpokpi Town, covering 18 localities under the district headquarters. To facilitate the smooth and timely completion of the revision process, the Kangpokpi Town Committee extended logistical support to the district administration by preparing a locality-wise roster for residents.

In accordance with the roster, residents of Zonlhing Veng (Ward No. 1), Tintong Veng (Ward No. 2), and Vengthah (Ward No. 3) turned up in large numbers on the opening day, keeping election officials occupied throughout the day as enrolment and verification activities progressed.

According to the roster prepared by the KTC, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Kangpokpi Town is scheduled to conclude on June 10.

However, the launch of the exercise coincided with a strong objection from the Kuki Inpi Manipur, the apex body of the Kuki tribes, which described the ongoing revision as “unacceptable” under the prevailing circumstances and warned that proceeding without ensuring the participation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) would severely undermine the credibility of the entire process.

Expressing concern over the fairness, inclusivity and administrative responsibility of the exercise, KIM pointed out that nearly 59,000 Kuki-Zo internally displaced persons continue to live away from their original homes due to the ethnic conflict and remain unable to effectively participate in the revision process.

The organisation stated that it had expected the government to first establish practical and accessible mechanisms enabling displaced citizens to exercise their electoral rights before launching such a critical democratic exercise.

“Proceeding with such a critical electoral and administrative exercise without ensuring the participation of a large and vulnerable section of the population undermines the very principles of democratic representation,” the organisation said.

KIM argued that the exclusion of displaced persons, whether direct or indirect, renders the ongoing revision incomplete and unacceptable in its present form. It maintained that any electoral roll revision carried out without the participation of thousands of affected citizens would inevitably raise questions over the representative character, legitimacy and credibility of the electoral rolls.

Calling for immediate intervention, the apex body urged the government and concerned district administrations to establish inclusive mechanisms that would allow all displaced persons to be duly enrolled and participate fully in the revision process.

“Any continuation of the SIR without such provisions would not only be unjust but would also call into question the legitimacy and credibility of the entire exercise,” KIM warned.

The organisation further stressed that no displaced person should be left out of the revision process and demanded satisfactory arrangements before the exercise proceeds any further.

The statement comes amid growing apprehension among Kuki-Zo civil society organisations regarding the implementation of the SIR in conflict-affected regions, where thousands remain displaced more than three years after ethnic violence erupted in Manipur.