JD (U), INC, BJP and NPF attend meeting with CEO
Our Correspondent Kohima | January 30 Despite the joint declaration issued on January 29 against the holding of polls to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Election Commission of India (ECI) today went ahead with the election process, with Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Abhijit Sinha stating that election notification will be issued on January 31. Addressing a press conference today in Kohima, the CEO informed that it had met political parties today in Kohima and briefed them about the electoral process. He said four political parties, JD (U), INC, BJP and NPF attended the meeting today. Regarding the demand for deferment of polls, the CEO said that the commission had received an official copy of the declaration. “Definitely we are aware of yesterday’s meeting of civil societies,” he stated. The CEO however maintained that since the ECI has already announced election, “we are following that.” On the decision taken by political parties yesterday, Sinha said: “as for us, from tomorrow nomination starts and our ROs will be there to receive and take the nomination. So whatever political parties and whatever decision been taken, for us, tomorrow, nomination starts so anybody wants to file nomination he may come and he should be coming to file nomination. But the decision is not going to affect our election schedule or notification is which coming tomorrow. So that is not going to affect our election schedule.” As per the ECI schedule the election process starts formally on January 31. Once the notification is issued, nomination starts from all the Returning Offices. The Nomination period is up to February 7. Scrutiny of nominations will be done on February 8 and last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 12. Date for the polls is fixed on February 27 from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Counting will be done on March 3 and the whole election process will get over by March 5. In regard to election management, the CEO informed that CAPF companies who are supposed to come have already started coming and a further 45 companies are expected by tomorrow. Meanwhile training for polling personnel has already commenced, with at least three rounds of training on EVMs and VVPAT. “By tomorrow (January 31) we are supposed to get 22 Expenditure Observers, some of which already arrived,” the CEO informed, adding that another 22 General Observers and 11 Police Observers will also be there. Meanwhile three flying squad teams in each constituency have been activated, supplementing several check post. Webcasting will be done in 555 polling stations, and fixed camera videography will be done in the other stations. On requisition of vehicles for election duty, the CEO said there is a requirement of more than 9500 vehicles. Taking into account the shortage of vehicles from the state, he said they are trying to requisite about 4000 vehicles from Assam. “We are all prepared for the poll,” he said and solicited the cooperation of everyone to ensure the election gets conducted in a fair and peaceful manner. On being asked what will happen till February 7 if no nominations are filed, he said “We will see that time,” adding, “Right now we cannot expect any scenario like that. If no nomination gets filed till February 7, of course we will meet and convey what should be done.”
