EC’s Lok Sabha poll schedule shows 544 seats instead of 543, here’s why

Manipur, which has been rocked by ethnic clashes since last year, will be voting in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in two phases — on April 19 and 26.

By: Express Web Desk

New Delhi | Updated: March 16, 2024 10:46 PM IST

3 min read

Ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities have continued to keep the state on the boil, claiming over 200 lives and injuring more than 1,000 since May 3 last year. (File)

The Election Commission Saturday announced the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls, which will be held in seven phases starting April 19. Counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.

Although the election is to elect the 543-member Lok Sabha, the number of constituencies added up to 544 when Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar made the announcement.

When this was pointed out during the press conference after the announcement, CEC Kumar explained that one parliamentary constituency in Manipur will go to polls twice, given the volatile situation and displacement there. The state has been witnessing ethnic clashes since May 3 last year.

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Manipur has two Lok Sabha constituencies – the Inner Manipur constituency, which largely covers the Meitei-majority valley areas, and the Outer Manipur constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes and has alternated between Naga and Kuki-Zomi representatives.

The elections to the two seats will be held in two phases on April 19 and 26. While the Inner Manipur constituency and some areas of Outer Manipur will vote in Phase 1, the remaining regions of Outer Manipur will get the chance to vote in Phase 2.

In a statement, the Election Commission said: “The Commission has reviewed the ground situation of Manipur and has noted that a large number of electors registered in different constituencies of Manipur were displaced from their native places during recent conflicts. They are now residing in relief camps in various districts of Manipur. The Commission, after due consultation with various stake holders, has decided that special polling stations shall be set up at/near the camps where such electors, who opt for such facility, will be able to register their votes in EVMs.”

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It added: “In this regard, a detail scheme for internally displaced persons of Manipur to vote in relief camps has been issued by the Commission on 29th February, 2024.”

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Ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities have continued to keep the state on the boil, claiming over 200 lives and injuring more than 1,000 since May 3 last year.

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