Kohima, April 18 (MExN): The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Nagaland, Vyasan R, has “strictly cautioned” S Supongmeren Jamir, the Indian National Congress (I) candidate for the Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency 1, in the upcoming Lok Sabha election against “appealing to communal feelings for securing votes in favour” of his candidature.
According to the order issued by the CEO, Jamir was issued the cautionary notice following a complaint received from Imchainba, President BJP, Dimapur District on April 17.
The complaint had expressed concerns over letters allegedly written by Jamir, appealing to religious sentiments in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, to Dimapur Tzurangkong Council Union and Dimapur Lanpangkong Council Union.
Among other statements, in the letters written in Ao language, purportedly stated that “other religious believers are being threatened and persecuted” and “At present, the BJP Government is in power and through them, BJP and RSS are working together to make India one nation, one culture, and one religion only.”
“In the forthcoming MP election led by the BJP Government, if voted to power again, it will be very difficult for our people to live on,” Jamir’s reportedly wrote, urging “all the people of Ao tribe in Dimapur and its periphery to think wisely and cast your precious vote prayerfully in order to have a better tomorrow.”
The letters were confirmed as genuine by the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer of Dimapur, the CEO’s order informed.
Accordingly, the CEO’s order stated such statements “may be interpreted” as an appeal by the candidate to vote on the “ground of his religion for furthering the prospects of his election,” contravening the Representation of People Act, 1951, it added.
Moreover, the CEO highlighted violations of the Model Code of Conduct, specifically clauses prohibiting appeals to communal or caste-based sentiments.
As the polling date is on April 19, there is an urgent need to maintain decorum during the remaining hours left for polling to commence, he said.
Hence, the CEO cautioned Jamir against further appeals to communal feelings in the electoral process.
