Calling for a phased and transparent revision, the forum demands impartial camps, alternate ID recognition, and inclusion of civil society groups to prevent mass disenfranchisement of Kuki-Zo tribals.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi | August 2, 2025: The Manipur Tribals Forum Delhi (MTFD) has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to postpone the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in Manipur until peace and stability return to the state’s conflict-affected regions. In a statement issued Friday, the forum stressed that the revision must be phased and accompanied by visible progress in the resettlement and rehabilitation of displaced tribal families.
Calling the electoral revision “a test of democratic inclusiveness and institutional trust,” the MTFD emphasized that it should not be treated as a routine administrative task, particularly in the wake of widespread ethnic violence and mass displacement.
The forum called for a series of preconditions before initiating any SSR in the state. These include the deployment of neutral verification mechanisms, the appointment of independent observers, and the launch of confidence-building measures to foster trust in the electoral process.
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The MTFD also recommended setting up special enrolment camps in relief centers and tribal-dominated areas, staffed by impartial officials and coordinated with recognized civil society organizations (CSOs). These camps, the forum said, should accept alternate documentation for voter verification, especially in cases where official IDs or address proofs have been lost due to the violence.
Highlighting the continued displacement of thousands—primarily from the Kuki-Zo tribal communities—since ethnic clashes broke out on May 3, 2023, the forum warned that any attempt to proceed with the SSR without proper safeguards could lead to large-scale disenfranchisement.
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“Many of our people are still living in relief camps or have taken shelter outside the state. They have lost access to their homes, administrative services, and crucial identity documents,” the statement said. “In such a context, an unmodified voter revision exercise would only deepen the alienation of tribal communities.”
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While reiterating its respect for the constitutional need to update electoral rolls, the MTFD urged the ECI and the Manipur government to factor in the “extraordinary ground realities” before moving ahead.
The forum also appealed to tribal civil society groups—village authorities, student unions, youth forums, and women’s organizations—to treat voter protection as a priority. It called for immediate stakeholder consultations to coordinate data verification and ensure that the democratic rights of displaced persons are not compromised.
“It is critical that no democratic process legitimizes violence or displacement,” the forum warned. “Displaced persons must be identified, documented, and supported in securing their electoral rights. The community must remain alert and engaged.”
