Don't hold ADC elections now call raised ATIFM against polls during pandemic

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Nov 1: The State Government should conduct the ADC (Autonomous District Council) elections when COVID-19 situation improves. It should not ‘yield’ to the pressure being exerted by some organisations to hold the elections early this month, said All Tribal Intellectual Forum, Manipur (ATIFM) today.
Stating that the hills lack proper infrastructure to face the pandemic if the ADC election is conducted in November and the number of COVID-19 cases surge, the ATIFM in a statement asserted that the elections should be held “only when the environment is conducive again”. Moreover, the tenure of the ADC Members can be extended by six months at a time for two times as per the ADC Act of Manipur, it said.
“It is unfortunate to note that tremendous pressure has been mounted on the Government of Manipur by some civil organisations to conduct the ADC election before 30th of November, 2020 notwithstanding the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic which has taken a heavy toll throughout the world including Manipur. It may be placed on record that those organisations are not the only authentic voice of the hill people of Manipur,” said ATIFM.
The CSOs’ interest to uphold the democratic rights of the people by conducting the elections early is appreciated, but it is also all the more important to examine the implications of imposing such elections to the already fragile health environment in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, it said, adding life and security of the people is more important than conducting such “powerless” ADC elections putting the life of the innocent people in peril.
Taking cognizance of the grave situation (COVID-19), the Bodoland Territorial Council election, ADC election in Tripura, ADC election in Meghalaya, etc have been  postponed indefinitely or until such time the situation is conducive to conduct the elections again. Without considering the serious health implications on the people particularly in the hill areas where there are no proper health services, any civil organisation should not pressurize the Government to conduct the ADC elections during such time of grave crisis, said the forum.
ATIFM explained that the term of the Bodoland Territorial Council had expired on April 27 and the election processes had started in full swing. But, taking the life and security of the people as topmost priority, the Ministry of Home Affairs had advised the Bodoland Territorial Council election to be postponed. Further, the ADC election in Tripura was due in May but it has also been postponed. In Meghalaya too, the ADC election has been postponed indefinitely in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Parliamentary and Assembly by-elections are being held in different parts of India including Manipur because as per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, no MLA or MP seat can remain vacant for more than 6 months. Section 151A of the RP Act, 1951 mandates the Election Commission to fill the vacancies in the Houses of the Parliament and State Assembly through by-elections within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the remainder of the term of a member in relation to a vacancy is one year or more. Therefore, it is a Constitutional obligation to fill these vacant seats before the expiry of 6 months from the time they fell vacant.
However, as per the ADC Act of Manipur, the tenure of ADC can be extended by 6 months at a time for two times. All the mentioned Councils except the ADCs in Manipur are under the provision of the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. “In other words, ADCs in Manipur are powerless Councils. When elections of Councils which have much more power and functions are being postponed in view of the prevailing situation, why ADC election be imposed in Manipur causing health hazards to the people when these Councils have practically no power and function in reality,” asked ATIFM.
Asserting that the hill areas lack adequate health services and infrastructure, ATIFM further asked whether the CSOs demanding early ADC elections will take responsibilities if the COVID-19 situation escalates because of the elections.
It is a well-known fact that once ADC election is announced, large scale election mobilization-house to house campaigns, public rallies, public meetings, large scale security movements, etc will start in the hill areas. All these activities can spike the rate of COVID-19 infections. Therefore, the State Government should take serious note of all these implications and it should not yield to the pressure exerted by some organisations with a handful of individuals for their vested interests. The  elections should be conducted only when the environment is conducive again, said ATIFM.