Kiphire, July 20 (MExN): The students' unions of Tutheze, Singrep, Langkok, Phelunger and Lihtsaoung villages in Kiphire have clarified to the Pungro Area College Students’ Union’s (PACSU) allegation that the number of voters in the above villages exceeded the total population. PACSU had made the allegation in an open letter to the Chief Election Officer, Nagaland and published in this daily on July 17.
“The allegation made by PACSU without material fact and evidence is pre-preposterous,” stated a press release issued by presidents of the five students’ unions. It stated that taking the overall percentage of electoral roll in Kiphire Sadar and comparing it to few villages is “severely defective and devoid of any concrete proof.”
Population census and electoral roll of the mentioned village, the release asserted, are well maintained. “Question of electoral roll exceeding total population is only a 'figment of imagination' as new inclusion can only be done after proper verification,” it added.
Reminding PACSU that inclusion of new voters cannot be done in one's own whims and fancies but can only be done as per the laid down rules and procedures of Election Commission of India and the Constitution, the students’ union urged to let the department concerned do their work. They further maintained that with the advancement of science and improved health standard, “it is only expected for the human population to expand and at the same time which will only enable those adult eligible to exercise Adult Franchise.”
As a student body, the release added, PACSU’s work should be confined within the domain of students’ interest rather than “swim” in political arena.
The release was appended by Yanghore Bitsa, President, Singrep Village Students’ Union; Setsaba, President, Phelunger Village Students’ Union; Litsaba, President, Lihtsaoung Village Students’ Union; Anhachu, President, Tutheze Village Students’ Union; Tarsesh, President, Langkok Village Students’ Union.
