DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 5 (MExN): In a letter to the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland; the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has alleged that certain leaders with “vested interests” and NPF workers are attempting to influence village heads to adopt unfair and illegal electoral resolutions. The letter stated that certain village authorities have been empowering the head of families to cast votes for the entire family in the forthcoming Assembly Polls. The NPCC stated that, this is in violation of the “one man, one vote” facet of democracy in India.
Medokul Sophie, General Secretary of NPCC stated in the letter that such practices were also prevalent in the previous General Elections in 2008. The letter further alleged that in spite of complaints being lodged regarding the aforementioned practice; the Presiding Officers on duty, Magistrates, Returning and Assistant Returning Officers and the then Chief Electoral Officer did not take any action to address the problem.
The letter further stated that the “one man, one vote” policy has sustained Indian democracy from “pillar to pillar.” The NPCC said that inaction on part of the authorities concerned would bring about the “death” of Indian Democracy. It reiterated that such practices would make Nagaland the cause for the downfall of Democracy in the country.
The letter appealed to the authorities to take “strong and appropriate measures” against such un-democratic and illegal activities. The letter concluded by appealing to the Election Commission to direct the field officers to take action against such malpractices.
