The Election Commission (EC) has announced the dates for elections in several northeastern states, disregarding a request from the BJP-led government in Assam to schedule voting before the Bohag Bihu celebrations. The polls in Assam will be held in three phases starting April 19, after the Bohag Bihu festival, which marks the Assamese New Year. This decision comes amidst preparations for the first election in Assam following a major redrawing of electoral boundaries. The state has 14 Lok Sabha seats, and the polling dates are set for April 19, April 26, and May 7.
Polling Schedule for Manipur, Tripura, and Other Northeastern States
In Manipur and Tripura, each with two Lok Sabha seats, elections will be conducted in two phases on April 19 and April 26. Manipur, particularly, has been plagued by ethnic clashes, with at least 219 casualties and over 50,000 displaced since May last year. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya will also have their elections on April 19. Nagaland, with a single Lok Sabha seat, has witnessed political tensions, with the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) declaring a “public emergency” in six eastern districts, demanding the implementation of an autonomous Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT).
Political parties in the region are gearing up for the elections. The ruling BJP in Tripura has expressed confidence in its campaign efforts, while the Congress is hopeful of winning the West seat. BJP activists have been actively campaigning, aiming to strengthen Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and TIPRA Motha party founder Pradyot Kishore Debbarma’s elder sister Kriti Singh Debbarma are among the key candidates fielded.
Despite the election fervor, challenges persist, particularly in Nagaland, where the ENPO’s call for abstention from the electoral process in certain districts could disrupt the election dynamics. The demand for the creation of an autonomous FNT remains a contentious issue, raising concerns about the smooth conduct of elections in the region.
As the electoral process unfolds in the northeastern states, the focus remains on ensuring peaceful and fair elections amidst regional tensions and demands for greater autonomy. The decisions made by voters in these states will not only impact the political landscape but also shape the future trajectory of the region’s socio-economic development.
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