Newmai News Network
Imphal | January 17
The Congress party in Manipur will write to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to re-schedule the poll date of the first phase which falls on Sunday.
Meghachandra said that the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) will write to the Election Commission of India (ECI) in this regard as February 27, the date of the first phase of polling in the state falls on Sunday, which is an important day of worship for the Christians.
Manipur will go to the polls in two phases — February 27 (Sunday) and March 3 — to elect 60 legislators of the state Assembly. Of these total seats, 20 constituencies are reserved seats for the Scheduled Tribes in hill districts, predominantly Christians.
The congress leader said that Sunday being an important day for the Christian community, the ECI must consider another day for the poll.
The MPCC will send a formal letter to the ECI for the same, Meghachandra added.
Mention may be made that many tribal based bodies including students’ bodies have been demanding rescheduling of the poll date for the first day.
While demanding rescheduling, the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) had said that tribal constitute around 43% of the state’s population and for Christians, “Sunday is a day that is holy and sacred and is also a day for rest and worship”.
Echoing ATSUM, the Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) had also raised a strong objection to the ECI poll date while asserting that it is bound to hurt religious sentiments.
