The Supreme Court of India declined a plea aimed at ensuring the voting rights of approximately 18,000 individuals displaced by ethnic violence in Manipur. The petition, brought before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, was rejected on the grounds of its timing, leaving the Election Commission of India (ECI) with insufficient time to make necessary arrangements before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections slated for April 19.

The petition, filed by advocates Hetvi Patel and Kaoliangpou Kamei on behalf of the displaced persons, highlighted the dire situation faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Kuki-Zo-Hmar community, who were forced out of their homes due to ongoing violence in Manipur. These individuals currently reside in various locations including Kohima, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, adding to the complexity of the logistical challenges in enabling them to exercise their voting rights.

Also Read: Plea in SC seeks voting rights for displaced Manipur residents.

Despite the genuine concerns raised in the petition regarding the disenfranchisement of these displaced persons, the Supreme Court emphasized that intervening at such a late stage would pose significant impediments to the smooth conduct of the electoral process. With only three days remaining before polling day, the Court deemed it impracticable for the ECI to implement the necessary administrative arrangements.

The rejection of the plea underscores the delicate balance between upholding constitutional rights and the practical constraints faced by electoral authorities. While acknowledging the bona fide nature of the petitioner's claim, the Court reiterated the ECI's constitutional mandate under Article 324 to regulate the electoral process.

This decision comes amidst the backdrop of ongoing legal proceedings related to the violence in Manipur, with the Supreme Court previously ordering the state government to ensure the dignified burial of unidentified and unclaimed bodies. 

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