Lakhuti, May 14 (MExN): Lakhuti Village Council has resolved not to participate in the re-poll fixed on May 15 and has appealed to the Election Commission of India to “acknowledge and consider” the April 9 polling as the “final verdict.”
This was decided following an emergency meeting convened on May 14, informed Head GB of Lakhuti Village Council, Nchumo Yanthan.
“With just one day notice i.e. May 14, it is not possible to call each and every electorate to participate in the re-poll due to time constraint,” the meeting resolved, and also informed that “There was no complaint from the presiding/ polling officer/ micro observer as well as from the ARO wokha with regard to 5 polling stations that are scheduled for a re-poll.”
Hinting at another form of malpractice the Village Council also stated that “The video footage and filming of electioneering process by an unauthorized individual is punishable as per Election Code of Conduct.” The Council urged the Election Commission to “initiate action against the defaulter as per the Act.”
Meanwhile, MLA and chairman Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation (NSMDC), Thomas Lotha, said that there was no complaint whatsoever from the presiding officers, polling officers, observers and even ARO Wokha. “The electioneering process was carried out according to the laws and guidelines of the ECI. There is no question of re-polling…The Village Council has the right to question the Election Commission of India. The decision taken by the Village Council is well within the purview of the Article 371 (A),” he said.
