Imphal: As the Centre prepares to complete the long-pending delimitation exercise in four northeastern states, Manipur BJP MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to first finalize the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and eliminate “illegal immigrants” from the state’s voter rolls.
In a letter addressed to Shah on March 24, 2025, MLA Singh emphasised that the process should begin only after ensuring the rights of indigenous people in Manipur. He proposed reserving all 40 Assembly seats in the Imphal Valley for the state’s indigenous population before the redrawing of constituency boundaries begins.
Delimitation and the NRC debate
MLA Singh’s appeal comes just a week after the Supreme Court directed the Centre to complete the delimitation process in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur within three months. The move aims to address regional political imbalances, but Singh argued that without proper foundational measures, the exercise could lead to further demographic and electoral complexities in Manipur.
“Given the sensitive socio-political dynamics of Manipur, particularly due to the disturbances and turmoil witnessed in the last two years, it is imperative that specific foundational measures are implemented before the delimitation exercise begins,” MLA Singh stated in his letter.
Raising concerns over voter fraud, MLA Singh highlighted that under former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s leadership, authorities had identified 65,000 fake Aadhaar cards in the state. He stressed that finalizing the NRC is “fundamental” to ensuring that only bona fide citizens have representation in the democratic structure.
Referring to the Election Commission’s initiative to link Aadhaar with voter IDs, he urged authorities to first identify and eliminate fraudulent entries to uphold the integrity of Manipur’s electoral rolls.
Call for reservation of valley seats
Manipur’s 60-member Assembly currently comprises 40 seats in the Imphal Valley and 20 in the hill areas. While the 20 hill seats include 19 reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs) and one for Scheduled Castes (SCs), all 40 Valley constituencies remain general seats.
MLA Singh argued that this arrangement leaves the indigenous Meitei population vulnerable to demographic shifts. “Various seats are already reserved for the hill areas. To protect the rights of the people in the Valley, these 40 seats must be constitutionally safeguarded for the indigenous population,” he wrote. He warned that failing to do so could lead to socio-cultural imbalances in the region.
Ensuring fair and transparent delimitation
As delimitation efforts gain momentum, MLA Singh’s letter highlights the complex socio-political realities in Manipur. His concerns about illegal immigration, voter fraud, and demographic shifts reflect broader anxieties in the region, where ethnic and political tensions have long shaped governance and policy decisions.
“Because of the strategic and sensitive nature of Manipur, addressing these issues properly will reinforce public trust in democratic governance,” MLA Singh concluded.
His demand places the onus on the Centre to balance electoral restructuring with identity politics, a challenge that will likely shape the future political landscape of Manipur.
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