Nagaland CEO points out need to address systematic failures
KOHIMA, MARCH 26 (MExN): Chief Electoral Officer for Nagaland, Sentiyanger Imchen has appealed to the citizens of the state, especially first time voters, to come out and cast their votes without fear and be part of the largest democratic exercise in the world. He said this at the inaugural function of the three day Voter’s Awareness Campaign on March 26 at Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima.
KOHIMA, MARCH 26 (MExN): Chief Electoral Officer for Nagaland, Sentiyanger Imchen has appealed to the citizens of the state, especially first time voters, to come out and cast their votes without fear and be part of the largest democratic exercise in the world. He said this at the inaugural function of the three day Voter’s Awareness Campaign on March 26 at Red Cross Conference Hall, Kohima.
The CEO informed that the Election Commission of India has recently started a programme, called the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), with the objective of citizens’ participation in the democractic process.
Observing that elections are a complex process, Sentiyanger Imchen said that SVEEP is not only about creating awareness but it also aims to inform people on various elections laws and procedures.
While acknowledging the SVEEP activities carried out in Nagaland, he however observed that Nagaland, being tagged as the state with the highest turnout, was not because of awareness but due to certain systematic failures like proxy and multiple voting and booth capturing. Towards this end, he felt that more awareness needs to be created, laying emphasis on one man one vote.
The Nagaland CEO further informed that the State Election Department has partnered with YouthNet and NBCC, in order to encourage young voters in exercising their franchise and also to facilitate clean elections. Delivering the welcome address, Assistant Director, Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP), Manikant Thakur informed that the DAVP, in collaboration with the Election Commission of India (ECI), is running the Voters Awareness Campaign across the country to encourage voter’s participation. “More participation means stronger democracy,” he added.
The programme was compered by APRO, DIPR Lolano Patton, while vote of thanks was proposed by Deputy Director, DIPR Kevizayieno. After the inaugural function, the CEO inaugurated the photo exhibit on voter’s awareness, displayed by DAVP in collaboration with
ECI and supported by the CEO office Nagaland.
The campaign on voter’s awareness will continue till March 28, and from March 27, live EVM demonstration will also be given for creating awareness, especially to first time voters. College students, officials from the election department, media persons, AIR, field publicity and DDK were also a part of the programme.
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Triangular contest in
Nagaland LS election
Nagaland LS election
KOHIMA, MARCH 26 (MExN): The list of contesting candidates for election to the Lok Sabha from Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency has been notified on March 26, following the last date for withdrawal of candidature. Returning Officer, Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency & Principal Secretary and Commissioner, Nagaland, Temjen Toy, in a notification, listed the contesting candidates as Neiphiu Rio, from Tuophema Basa village, Kohima, Naga People’s Front (NPF); KV Pusa, Old Minister Hill, Kohima, Indian National Congress (INC) and Akhei Achumi, Naharibari, Dimapur Socialist Party (India).
The Returning Officer also held a meeting with the General Observers, Manjit Singh and AL Deva; Expenditure Observer, Sushil Kumar Singh and representatives of political parties on Wednesday.
Presiding over the meeting, the RO observed that this was an appropriate time to start good electoral practices, since the number of candidates was less as compared to Assembly Elections. He also explained some new introductions by the Election Commission of India, such as the NOTA (none of the above) option in the EVM.
He stressed on the importance of maintaining correct expenditure accounts and timely filing of these accounts as and when called for. The Observers explained that putting up of banners was prohibited and that there is no limit on the number of vehicles that can be used for campaigning, provided that proper permission is obtained and the number of vehicles used is reflected in the expenditure account.
They also requested that the members of the political parties should associate themselves with the various processes that will be starting, like randomization of Polling Parties, EVMs etc.
The representatives of the political parties raised some points of doubt like whom to approach for landing permission, permission for holding rallies etc, which were later explained and clarified.
