A plea has been filed before the Supreme Court of India, drawing attention to a critical issue concerning the voting rights of approximately 18,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been uprooted due to ethnic violence in Manipur. 

The issue was brought up on Monday in front of a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who declined to expedite its listing for urgent attention.

Advocates Hetvi Patel and Kaoliangpou Kamei have represented the displaced individuals, highlighting their plight as they currently reside in various states across the country.

The petition contends that despite the significant number of displaced persons, no arrangements have been made to ensure their participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. It alleges a neglectful approach by the Election Commission of India (ECI), accusing the commission of turning a blind eye towards the voting rights of tens of thousands of Kuki-Zo-Hmar IDPs.

The plea emphasizes that the denial of voting rights to these IDPs not only infringes upon their fundamental rights but also undermines the essence of democracy. It points out that the lack of voting arrangements effectively disenfranchises these individuals, depriving them of their constitutional right to participate in the democratic process.

The Supreme Court has been urged to intervene urgently and ensure that adequate measures are taken to enable the displaced persons from Manipur to exercise their franchise. 

The petition raises crucial legal questions, including whether the failure to provide voting facilities to internally displaced persons violates their fundamental right to vote as guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.

Case: Naulak Khamsuanthang and Ors vs. Election Commission of India and ors.