Photo Courtesy: twitter@ECISVEEP
Dimapur, January 19 (MExN): With the announcement for the conduct of general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023 by the Election Commission of India, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force with immediate effect in all the districts.
The elections to 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly will be held on February 27.
The respective deputy commissioner & district election officer in their press releases stated that with the announcement of the general election by the Election Commission of India through a Press Note No. ECI/PN/1/2023 dated 18th January 2023 and in pursuance of the Chief Electoral Officer Press Release No. ELE/CDT-171/2023 dated January 18, 2023, it was informed to all concerned that the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for the guidance of political parties and candidates comes into force with immediate effect. “It will be in force till the completion of the election process,” stated a DIPR report.
The political parties, intending candidates, government departments/establishments, and the general public are informed to take note of the same and adhere strictly to the model code of conduct and extend cooperation to the district election machinery to ensure peaceful conduct of the said general election.
CEO convenes meeting
The Chic Electoral Officer, Nagaland, V Shashank Shekhar, IAS has convened a meeting with representative of all political parties in the State in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Kohima on January 21 at 2:30 pm with regard to expenditure monitoring measures in view of the ensuing general election.
ADC Pfutsero informs govt employees on MCC
In view of the announcement of the State Assembly election, Japheth Woch ADC & Returning Officer 16th A/C Pfutsero informed that all the Government employees under Pfutsero Sub-Division have been directed to be in the station with immediate effect.
Any Government employees found absent without due permission or procedures will be viewed seriously and action will be taken as per the provision of the law, the ADC stated.
Further, with the MCC coming into force, no Government employee can take part in political activities. He/she will be guilty of misconduct under the relevant service rule. He/she cannot act as an election agent or counting agent. It is an offense under section 134 of the RP Act 1951. If he/she happens to be an official mentioned in section 129(1) of the RP Act, 1951 shall be liable to penal action. He/she should not be present in public meetings during the election campaign, and shall not misuse an official vehicle in any manner. District Administration shall be keeping a close watch, it stated.
Election MCC training at Phek
In view of the forthcoming General Election to Nagaland State Assembly Election, 2023, DC & DEO Phek Kumar Ramnikant IAS conducted training of various teams (Election Expenditure Monitoring Cell, Assistant Expenditure Observers, Video Surveillance Team, Video viewing Team Accounting Team, Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Team, Media Certification, and Monitoring Cell) at DC’s Conference hall Phek, on January 18.
All areas of concern, regarding the Election Model Code of Conduct, were thoroughly deliberated during the training programme, stated a DIPR report.
DC & DEO instructed the officials to be very devoted and careful in all the specific works on election duties till the election process is over.
Various team members attended the training programme.
DC Zunheboto orders district heads to be in station
Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Zunheboto in an order stated that in pursuance of the forthcoming General Election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election 2023, all the Heads of Offices in Zunheboto district have been directed to be in the station and further daily attendance report to be submitted to the DC office by 3:00 pm on daily basis.
A DIPR report stated that non-compliance to this order will be taken seriously and dealt with as per Section 62 of the Representative of Peoples Act 1951.
Kohima DLSC for MCC constituted
In connection with the ensuing 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election, 2023, the DC & DEO Kohima notified the constitution of District Level Standing Committee (DLSC) for Model Code of Conduct.
The committee will be head by DC & DEO Kohima and Convener, and with members including Superintendent of Police, Kohima; SDO (C) Hq. & Nodal Officer (MCC); All ROs/AROs Kohima district; Administrator KMC; EEM Nodal Officer; President & General Secretary of Recognized Political Parties, Kohima district; President & two representatives Angami Public Organization; President & two representatives, Angami Miapfu Mechu Krotho (AMK); President & two representatives, Angami Youth Organization; and Assistant Election Officer.
The notification issued through the DIPR also stated that the Committee shall meet from time to time, as and when required to discuss issues relating to free, fair and peaceful conduct of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election, 2023. The Committee shall ensure that Model Code of Conduct is strictly adhere by all political parties, contesting candidates, government departments and general public from the day the Commission announces the election till the election process ends.
The first meeting of the Committee will be held on January 20 at 3:30 pm in the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner, Kohima. All concerned have been requested to make it convenient to attend the meeting positively.
DC & DEO Kohima requisitions IG stadium
In exercise of the power conferred under Section 160 of the Representation of People Act 1951, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Kohima, Shanavas C IAS has requisitioned IG Stadium Kohima for parking the requisitioned vehicle in connection with the conduct of the forthcoming 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly Election 2023 from February 10 till the completion of the election process.
The DC’s order stated that no activities and allotment of the aforementioned area shall be entertained during the said period.
Arm License holders directed
Pughoboto: Additional Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Tiameren Chang has informed that to ensure a free and fair election in the forthcoming General Election all the arm License holders under the Pughoboto sub-division have been directed to deposit their Arms at the nearest Police station on or before the last date of withdrawal of candidature which is February 10, 2023.
ADC & DEO Pughoboto further stated that nobody is allowed to carry any kind of Arms/ Weapons within the Pughoboto jurisdiction for any purpose, stated a DIPR report.
ADC also added that failure to comply with the directives issued herein will lead to the cancellation of the arms License and will take appropriate penal action as per the rules in force.
Dimapur: All Arms Licence holders under Dimapur, Chümoukedima and Niuland districts have been directed to deposit their licensed Arms to the nearest Police Station without fail on or before February 10.
Failure to comply with this order shall invite prosecution of the licence holder under the Arms Act, 1959 and may lead to cancellation of their Arms Licence, stated an order issued by Kevithuto Sophie, IPS, Commissioner of Police and District Magistrate, Dimapur.
Stringent action for any election duty lapses: DC Dimapur
Deputy Commissioner & DEO Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal IAS cautioned that very strict action would be initiated with show cause notice, in case of any election duty lapses by any government employees serving under Dimapur district.
He said this while briefing the Flying Squad team in the conference hall of DC Dimapur on January 19, stated a DIPR report.
With the announcement of poll dates, the Model Code of Conduct has been enforced and the flying squad under Dimapur district has been activated.
The DC directed the flying squad team to be in their respective areas of operation/ assignment and to be vigilant 24x7 by working out a rotation basis chart. He further asked all the teams to be sincere in their assigned duties with seriousness while reminding that everyone has to function according to Election Commission guidelines or face legal action.
In the meeting, ADC & RO for Dimapur 1 and II, Mhalo Humtsoe advised the officials to go through the MCC guidelines and be thorough on how to go about in their assigned election duties for successful conduct of the State Assembly elections.
