Kohima, May 13 (MExN): The Naga People’s Front (NPF) has expressed “resentment” over the instructions for re-poll under Wokha district. In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), secretary general of NPF K G Kenye stated that the re-poll has been ordered despite the positive report of free and fair electioneering by the presiding officers and the deputy commissioner of the district. “The repoll has apparently been ordered on mere allegations of the Congress party which has not been authenticated by the election officials,” said the letter. “This is in clear violation of the standard procedures and needs to be revoked.”
The NPF further asserted that the elections were conducted in a free and fair manner throughout the State and the officials of the election department carried out a commendable job. “The people of the State have come out in huge numbers to exercise their franchise and participated in the elections having placed their faith and confidence in the democratic process,” NPF stated. “The high voter turnout and the free and fair manner in which the polls were conducted exemplify the fact that the people of Nagaland have further contributed towards the strengthening of democracy and freedom.” Therefore, it said, “if their enthusiastic participating is questioned and nullified, the reaction of the people may result in untoward circumstances and may hamper the democratic process now and in future.”
In light of this, the NPF has urged the ECI to take up the matter in utter seriousness and ensure that “the franchise exercised by the electorate in Nagaland is respected in greater interest of the country.”
