Mokokchung, February 11 (MExN): INC candidate for 29 Jangpetkong A/C, I. Imkong, has written to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Nagaland warning that the electoral process might be vitiated due to the “lawless situation” in the constituency. He has called for an urgent investigation by an impartial agency to ensure free and fair polls.
Imkong complains in the letter that Changki and Khar, two of the largest villages of the constituency, have “have set up their respective candidates and following thereof, INC Party workers, supporters and I are not allowed to enter these two villages even though they have the largest number of INC party supporters”.
This, says Imkong, has led to the “forcible curtailment” of INC party workers and supporters by the Village Councils and the workers and supporters of the other candidates “by sheer physical force”. Expounding on impunity and constitutional rights, Imkong warns that such actions will “vitiate the entire electoral process and the constitutionality, legality and propriety of even the election of the returned candidate may be highly questionable”.
“Under the circumstances, it is apprehended that the Village Councils may force the Presiding Officers to vote by themselves on behalf of the electorate,” alleges Imkong.
Earlier, Imkong had been accused by NPF Khar Unit of using police vehicles and personnel for his election work, among other allegations like being supported by NSCN (IM).
Imkong, in his letter to the CEO, goes on to accuse the above mentioned Village Councils of issuing press statements raising “various allegations to the NSCN (IM) and accusing me of being the organization’s official candidate”. Calling these allegations “wild, baseless and frivolous”, Imkong says this will reflect badly on his candidature and the INC party. Moreover, according to him, this action of the councils is a “cover-up of their illegal actions against the electioneering rights of my candidature and INC Party workers and supporters in the constituency”.
Calling for “urgent attention” to the said situation, I. Imkong has called for “appropriate action” by authorities to “restore the liberty of the undersigned (I. Imkong) and the INC party workers and supporters in these areas of the constituency”.
In this regard, the 29 A/C candidate has called for an impartial agency to investigate the case to ensure ‘One Man One Vote’ is maintained.
.jpeg)
