EC gives instruction for free, fair and peaceful elections
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 4
Election Commission of India (ECI) has assured that election to the ensuing Nagaland State Legislative Assembly would be held in due time in a “very transparent, error-free and secure” manner.
Addressing a press conference here at Rhododendron Hall, Police Complex Chumekedima, the ECI team headed by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), VS Sampath, expressed satisfaction with the review of poll preparedness and arrangements in the State and said that it looked forward to a “free and fair” election in the State.
Sampath said since the tenure of the present Legislative Assembly would come to an end on March 18, election to the next assembly would have to be conducted before that.
The CEC also said the 95% coverage of electorates in Nagaland under the photo electoral rolls was a “significant improvement” compared to previous elections in Nagaland and urged the state election officers to cover the remaining 5% before the election, slated for early March.
Briefing mediapersons on the series of meetings held with political parties on Thursday, the CEC said all the political parties have assured full cooperation to the ECI in conducting free and fair polls.
Among other issues, the political parties requested adequate security arrangement, higher deployment of central para military forces, depositing of all arms (lincensed and unlicensed), secrecy in voting and strict monitoring of bogus voters, the CEC said.
The political parties also expressed concerned with multiple entries in electoral rolls and urged the ECI to ensure “one man one vote.” On today’s meeting with polling officials including District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police and others, the ECI instructed the officials that they must deliver “free, fair and peaceful election” and that there should not be any compromise on these three parameters.
Stating that any “negligence or partisanship” on the part of the polling officers would not be tolerated, the ECI reminded that integrity and sincerity on the part of polling officers is of outmost importance.
Besides, the photo electoral rolls, the ECI informed that the commission would be issuing separate photo ID slips to all genuine voters and that these ID slips would be delivered at their door-step at least a week ahead before the polling day.
Further, the ECI said it has come with a comprehensive set of mechanisms for free and fairs polls including deployment of expenditure observers to overlook the election expenditures of candidates.
Expressing concern on shortfall of youth voters (between 18 and 19 years), the ECI urged the state election officers to make the necessary arrangement so that the bracketed youths can also exercise their franchise in the coming election.
With the election process in full swing, Nagaland is expected to go to polls early March where 11.9 lakh voters (6 lakh males and 5.9 females) will exercise their franchise to elect the 60-member legislative assembly.
