Lakhipuronline Digital Desk: The Chief Election Commissioner of India held an interactive session today (27/3/2023) with various political parties, civil society organizations, public representatives, and local organizations to discuss the delimitation and demarcation of parliamentary constituencies and Assam State Legislative Assembly Constituencies. The event was held at the prestigious Hotel Radisson Blu in Guwahati.
During the session, the Chief Electoral Officer of Assam State extended an invitation to the World Meetei Council (WMC) Assam State Unit to discuss the delimitation issue of Lakhipur LAC-13 in the Cachar District of Assam State. The WMC Assam State Unit presented a memorandum on behalf of the Meetei community, highlighting their concerns about the loss of political representation due to the reconstitution of the Lakhipur LAC in 1976.
As a result of the delimitation exercise, a significant population of Meetei community voters were debarred from consolidating into one LAC, leading to political and administrative disadvantage for the minority indigenous community of Assam State. The Meetei community lost its position to send an elected representative to the State Assembly, resulting in a lack of representation for their issues in the State Assembly.
The Lakhipur LAC-13 had MLAs from the Manipuri community in the past, including the Late Shri Mera Chaouba Singha. However, the Meetei community has been neglected in all spheres since their loss of political representation.
The WMC team, comprising Shri Y. Dhan Singha (Vice Chairman WMC CEC), Col (Retd) Gokul Chandra Singha (Vice Chairman WMC CEC), Shri Nabakishore Yumnam (President WMC Assam State Unit), Shri Irungbam Hari Singha (General Secretary of WMC Assam State Unit), and Shri Moirangthem Ranjit Singha (Treasurer of WMC Assam State Unit), made a representation to the Chief Election Commissioner, who gave the issue a deliberate hearing and responded positively to their appeal.
The interactive session provided an opportunity for various stakeholders to voice their concerns on the delimitation and demarcation of parliamentary constituencies and Assam State Legislative Assembly Constituencies. The Chief Election Commissioner’s positive response is expected to go a long way in addressing the concerns of the Meetei community in Assam State.