DIMAPUR, JANUARY 11 (MExN): In view of the upcoming general elections to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, the Deputy Commissioners of Dimapur and Peren today issued circulars informing that declaration of Village/Area/Range consensus candidates by various public organizations and Village Councils/Range Organizations/Ward Authorities/GBs is violative of various election related laws and offence under the Indian Penal Code.
“Undue influence at elections including interference or any attempt to interfere with the free exercise of electoral right by any means such as threat of injury/restraint is an offence under sections 171,339 and 340 of IPC,” the circulars informed.
They added that Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act 1951, any attempt to promote enmity between classes in connection with elections on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language constitutes electoral offence and is also punishable under sections 153A, 153B, 295A and 505(2) of the IPC.
“The same has been reiterated by the ECI in its instructions that further prohibits any organization or group from activity or statement that amounts to attack on personal life of any person or is malicious or offends decency and morality,” the DCs said.
The DCs informed that violation of the same by any organization can lead to debarment and denial of permission to hold any further programmes/activity. Further, the Village Councils being auxiliary to the administration under Section 15 of the Nagaland Village Council Act 1978 is bound to be neutral in matter related to elections.
They directed all the Public/Range Organirations/Village Councils/ Ward Authorities/GBs to take due note of the above provisions of law and refrain from declaration of Village/Area/Range consensus candidates or any other activity that subverts free exercise of electoral right by any means such as threats of injury or wrongful confinement.
Any organization/persons that violates the same shall be dealt with strictly under the applicable penal provisions of law, the circulars cautioned.
