The Mizoram Bru Displaced People’s Coordination Committee (MBDPC) has threatened to boycott the ensuing Lok Sabha election if polling stations are set up at Kanhmun, a border villager of Tripura and Mizoram, according to reports.
Also read: EC to set up 15 polling stations in Mizoram for Bru refugees
Notably during the last Assembly election in Mizoram last year, polling stations were established at Kanmon for Bru voters and the voting percentage was considered to below at 56 per cent.
MBDPC president Laldingliena was quoted as saying that the polling booths set up at Kanhmun are quite far away from the six relief camps, adding, if booths are set up there Bru voters will not vote in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections.
The MBDPC president has further urged the Election Commission of India to set up booths at suitable places near the relief camps where the Bru refugees are lodged in Tripura bordering Mizoram.
In the light of the poll boycott threat, a high level team headed by Additional CEO of Mizoram would be arriving at Kanchapur to see the arrangement for facilitating voting rights for these displaced refugee voters. During the visit, they will have a meeting with the SDM of Kanchapur subdivision.
Earlier the Election Commission has decided to set up 15 special polling stations at Kanhmun village along the Mizoram-Tripura border to help Bru (Reang) refugees to exercise their franchise for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram.