Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 8
If going by the visit of a senior Election Commission of India official to Nagaland is any indication, unless some sort of miracle takes place with regard to the Naga peace process and early solution comes about, the stage is set for conducting the next Assembly Election since the term of the present Nagaland Assembly expires on 26th March 2013. Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya are due for election in March 2013. There have been demands from a cross section of Nagas that a political settlement is reached before the next Assembly Election in Nagaland due in early next year.
Now it appears that election will after all take place. Sudhir Tripathi, Deputy Election Commissioner, Election Commission of India in a meeting with the political parties of the State here today has emphasized the importance of appointment of booth level agents by the political parties. Tripathi sough the co-operation of all political parties in preparing clean and error free electoral rolls. Talking to the media, Sudhir Tripathi said he was enthused with all political parties and civil societies calling out for a free, fair and transparent poll in the State.
His two day visit to Nagaland, which ended today, is to review the progress of ongoing Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in Nagaland and to hold preliminary discussion on preparations of Assembly Elections since the term of the present Nagaland Assembly expires on 26th March’ 2013.
The Deputy Election Commissioner had detailed discussion with officials of the Election Department yesterday. He conveyed the directions of the Election Commission that photo coverage of electors should be completed up to 100% in the next 1(one) month.
For this purpose a special format for collection of photos of residual voters could be used. Tripathi said the enrolment to young voters who attained eligibility to become voters as on 1st Jan’ 2013 also be given special attention and for this purpose a special media campaign should be launched.
Today, the Deputy Election Commissioner had also video conference with the Deputy Commissioners cum District Election Officers of all the districts to review the progress of summary revision district wise. The Deputy Commissioners were asked to give highest priority to election related work from now onwards and achieve 100% photo electoral roll coverage in their respective districts.
