The Meitei people living and working in Mizoram fled the state due to the ethnic conflict in Manipur and many sought refuge in Assam between May and July, fearing attacks by locals. Many of them are registered voters in Mizoram, but will miss the polls on Tuesday in their adoptive state. Most of these Meiteis are from southern Assam and some of them, like Okram Sarat Singha, maintain contact with their Mizo friends via phone. But Sarat has not received encouragement from them to return to Mizoram and vote.