Meeting held with political parties, candidates

Dimapur, February 10 (MExN): In connection with election to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer of Dimapur, Sushil Kumar Patel (IAS) convened a meeting with all the political parties and intending candidates of all 5 Assembly Constituencies of Dimapur. General Observers along with all the Returning Officers and Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) members also attended the meeting held on February 9 in the DC’s conference hall here.  

Sushil Kumar briefed on issues pertaining to expenditure in the assembly election and clarified the doubts raised by the intending candidates and representatives of political parties. He also apprised them on the role and purpose of MCMC. The DC further informed that Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) preparation will be done on February 18 and 19 for all the 5 Assembly Constituencies of Dimapur.  

Meanwhile, Commissioner of Police, Dimapur, Limasunep spoke on security of candidates and law and order issues. He informed that every candidate is eligible for 2 armed bodyguards, while house guards will be provided if there are threat perceptions to any intending candidate.  

The Commissioner of Police further appealed for depositing all licensed fire arms to the nearest police station or Deputy Commissioner's office and assured safety of all deposited fire arms. On the law and order front, Limasunep said atmosphere was largely peaceful presently and urged one and all to cooperate with the security forces. Lots of security checks are being carried out with the objective that there would be no loss of life and property, he stated, assuring that police personnel will be briefed before they go out for frisking.  

General Observers of different A/Cs of Dimapur district and Police Observer, who were present at the meeting, appealed to the intending candidates to abide by the policy and guidelines of ECI for free and fair conduct of elections.  

On behalf of all the Returning Officers, Sara S Jamir appealed to all the intending candidates and representatives to go through the guidelines properly with regard to permission to hold rallies, campaigns, vehicle permit etc. She also asked them to write to their respective ROs or complain online if there are any complaints.  

After the meeting, the intending candidates, political parties, Observers and others present in the meeting took a pledge for clean election and ethical voting under the initiative of DC & DEO, Dimapur.