Kohima, April 17 (MExN): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) today urged every voter within the State to take part in the electoral process by exercising their Constitutional rights on the day of the poll on April 19.
The right to vote is not just a privilege but a basic human right and a cornerstone of our democracy, allowing citizens to have a say in who governs them and how they are governed, it stated in a press release on the culmination of campaign for 18th Lok Sabha Election in Nagaland.
The NPCC has always upheld the Sovereignty of the Constitution of India and has always encouraged every citizen to uphold the democratic principles and values that emanates from the Constitution, it added.
‘Exercise your Constitutional right on the day of the poll and make a difference by voting for a leader of their choice for a better future,’ it added in a press release from its Legal Department.
Meanwhile, to ensure free and fair election, the NPCC also highlighted some mechanisms through which the integrity and sanctity of the electoral institution can be protected.
Among others, it highlighted that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has developed an mobile applciation known as ‘CVIGIL’ where every citizen can promptly report any Electoral Offences/Corrupt practices occurring throughout the period of implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Every citizen/Eligible Voters are encouraged to download the App and get acquainted with its functions to ensure instant reporting of any disruption of the electoral process or violation of any MCC/electoral provisions by any individual/groups/political parties from ground zero or otherwise, it said.
CVIGIL can be downloaded the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, it added.
As per the NPCC, any type of violation can be reported on the app either via photo or video of the violation and uploading it to the app.
The Geographical Information System (GIS) maps the location automatically and after submission, users receive follow up on their complaint’s status, it said.
It further maintained that ‘Booth Capturing’ is one of the most outrageous electoral offences punishable under Section 135A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
The NPCC also encouraged every citizen or eligible voters to stay vigilant against such “totalitarian act” which not only destroys the democratic principles but also adversely interferes with the Principle of Universal Adult Suffrage.
To this end, it further encouraged to promptly report any such incidence to the Election Authority through the CVIGIL App or otherwise.
In light of the past General Election, the NPCC also maintained that most eligible voters in the rural areas are not well acquainted with the workings of the EVMs’ and “remains vulnerable to voting for a candidate other than their desired candidate.”
Stating that sequence of the candidate that appears in the Ballot Unit (EVM) is not pre-determined and differs from one polling station to another, it advised every eligible voters look for the party symbol on the EVMs and press the button assigned for that party.
The NPCC appealed to all the Village Councils in Nagaland, Gaon Buras’ (GBs’) and all Poll related officials to the 18th Lok Sabha Election for 1- Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency, to do everything under their power to ensure free and fair election on the polling day on April 19.
