Dimapur, November 12 (MExN): The Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland, V Shashank Shekhar, IAS and his team of officers visited and held meeting with various stakeholders and electoral officials at Kohima and Dimapur on November 10 and 11 respectively to review progress of activities in connection with the ongoing Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls w.r.t. 01.01.2022 as the qualifying date.
An update from the CEO’s office informed that some of the issues discussed during the meetings included Article 324 of the constitution that empowers the Election Commission of India to conduct all Elections to Parliament and State Legislature and preparation of electoral roll under its superintendence, direction and control. Article 326 deals with registration as voters and Section 29A of Representation of People’s Act, 1951 governs the registration of Political Parties with the Election Commission of India, it stated.
It also stated that only Indian citizens are allowed to register as voters. Any foreigners even if staying in India for economic or any other reason, are not allowed to register as voters. Elections are the basis of a democratic system of governance adopted in our country through the constitution. An accurate electoral roll is one of the important pre- requisites for conduct of elections.
Earlier, the CEO apprised the Administrative Officers and BLOs about the disposal of pending Forms/DSEs/LEs/Repeat EPIC, Super Checking, display of Form 9,10,11,11A in the CEO website, issues relating to ineligible entries (multiple/underage/dead/shifted etc), SVEEP interventions, ELCs in schools/colleges, Campus Ambassadors, issue of EPIC to new electors.
ELCs are Electoral Literacy Clubs which as per Election Commission of India guidelines are being set up in the country to promote electoral literacy in all age groups of the Indian citizens through engaging and interesting activities and hands- on experience but in an apolitical, neutral and non-partisan manner, the CEO office informed in a press release.
Electoral Literacy Clubs are especially being set up in secondary and senior secondary schools all across India targeting the future voters, (in age group of 14-17 years old) studying in Class IX-XII. These shall be called ELC-Future Voters.
The Club will have the student for Class IX, X, XI and XII as its members. ELCs are also being set up in colleges all across India targeting the new voters, (in the age- group of 18-21 years old) pursuing their graduation. The Club will have all the students from all semester as its members.
CEO also met the political parties and civil society organizations and deliberated about the Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls, 2022 and fidelity of electoral roll in general. Political parties were encouraged to appoint Booth Level Agents (BLAs) in the districts, it stated.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Administrative Officers, Political Parties, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and others. From CEOs Office, in addition to CEO, V Shashank Shekhar, IAS, N Moa Aier, Additional CEO, Ruokuovituo Khezhie, Joint CEO, Awa Lorin, Deputy CEO, R Mhathung, Deputy CEO, Alila Chang, Assistant CEO, Ketousieu Khruomo, AEO (MIS), Kitoka Sumi, Programmer attended the meeting.
