Nagaland fully prepared for Feb 27 polls: CEO

Our Correspondent
Kohima | January 20

Nagaland’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), V Shashant Shekhar today said that the state machinery is fully prepared to conduct the coming State General Election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, scheduled for February 27.

Updating the overview of the preparation for polls during a press conference here today at Hotel Japfu, he said that the state machinery has been reviewing the situation for the last several weeks.

The state has a total of 13,17,632 electors. The general electors comprise of 13,09,651 people and service electors are 7,981. Male electors constitute 6,61,489 and female voters are 6,56,143.

The number of electors in the 18-19 year age group stands at 30,049, and number of 80 years plus electors is 36,403. Further there are 6,970 Persons with Disabilities (PwD) electors.
 
680 vulnerable, 924 critical polling stations 
The CEO informed that out of the total 2,315 polling stations, around 680 polling station have been identified as vulnerable and 924 polling stations as critical so far. “But this is not a very rigid number,” as it will keep changing depending on the situation, he said.

Out of 2,315 polling stations, 196 polling stations are women managed while 10 polling stations will be managed by PwDs.

As part of its firm commitment towards gender equality and greater constructive participation of women in the electoral process, the Commission has directed that, to the extent possible, at least one polling station each should be managed exclusively by women and PwDs in every assembly constituency.

In such women managed polling stations, all election staff, including police and security personnel will be women.
 
4 Ghaspani-I A/C with highest number of electors
The CEO informed that 4 Ghaspani- I Assembly Constituency has the highest number of electors. It has 74, 395 voters. 27 Mokokchung Town A/C has the lowest number of electors (8,302).

The polling station with lowest number of electors is 71 Merapani (37) under 40 Bhandari A/C. The polling station with highest number of electors is 12 Usutomi (1348) under 32 Atoizu A/C.
 
75 CAPF companies  arrived in Nagaland
Out of 305 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) sought to be deployed during election period in Nagaland, 75 companies have arrived so far in advance. The rest of the companies will be coming during polling time, Shekhar said.

CAPFs are deployed to supplement the local police force in ensuring  peaceful and conducive atmosphere for the smooth conduct of elections in a ‘free, fair and credible manner.’

According to Election Commission of India (ECI), CAPFs will be deployed well in advance for area domination, route marches in vulnerable pockets, point patrolling and other confidence building measures to re-assure and build faith in the minds of the voters, especially those belonging to weaker sections, minorities etc.

On the eve of poll, the CAPFs/SAP (State Armed Police) shall take position and control of the respective polling stations and will be responsible for safeguarding the polling stations and for providing security to the electors and polling personnel on the poll day.
 
Vehicle requisition for poll duty
The CEO also informed that it has compiled vehicle requisition for each district, adding that the shortfall in some districts will be met from those having surplus like Kohima and Dimapur. In case of general shortfall, he stated that the state may seek requisition from Assam.

He added that the ECI is also aware of this, and would if necessary direct the Assam Government to provide the requirement. The CEO Nagaland said that he is keeping in touch with CEO Assam.
 
Special care for 80 plus, PwD electors
“We will take care of the senior citizens and Person with Disabilities (PwDs) electors in the election process,” Shekhar assured. For those who are 80 and above, though not compulsory; we will give option so that they can access postal ballot facility and they can vote from home also, he said. Our team will go to their residence and take vote from their home, he stated.

Shekhar said the same step will be extended to PwD electors as well.

The ECI has directed that all polling stations be located at the ground floor and ramps with proper gradient are provided for the convenience of differently abled electors and senior citizens with wheel chairs.

Further, in order to provide targeted and need-based facilitation to differently- abled voters, the Commission has directed that all PwDs and senior citizens in an Assembly Constituency are identified and tagged to their respective polling stations and necessary disability-specific arrangements made for their smooth and convenient voting experience on poll day.

Identified PwDs and senior citizen electors will be assisted by volunteers, appointed by the Returning officer/District Election Officer.
 
Measures to prevent public nuisance
The Commission has also directed that the use of public address system or loudspeakers or any sound amplifier, whether fitted on vehicles of any kind whatsoever or in static position used for public meetings for electioneering purposes, during the entire election period starting from the date of announcement and ending with the date of declaration of results, shall not be permitted between 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Further, no loudspeakers fitted on vehicles of any kind or in any other manner shall be permitted to be used during the 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of the poll in any polling area.

Meanwhile, Shekhar informed that the existing COVID guidelines of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have to be followed, adding that it will provide updates on the latest instruction.
 
Voter EPIC
The CEO informed that for voters who do not have EPICs, there are alternative documents which can be used for the purpose of voting. 

One can produce Voter EPIC or any of the following identification documents: Aadhar card, MNREGA Job Card, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, Driving License,  PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension documents with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt./PSUs/ Public Limited Companies and Officials identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and Unique Disability ID (UDID) card, M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India.
 
Lauds Nihokhu, Thizama for clean election declaration
Meanwhile, Shekhar lauded Nihokhu and Thizama villages for their recent declaration on the clean election process. 
He informed that Thizama Village Council has declared itself as a ‘clean election village’ by resolving to ban all candidates from setting up party camps, distribution of money for vote and drinking alcohol within the village jurisdiction.

Nihokhu in its general meeting had taken a pledge not to indulge in bribery in exchange of their votes and resolved to maintain clean election in the village. Nihokhu village notified that no candidate will be allowed to use money or other means to vie for votes in the village.

Shekhar was hopeful that more villages will come forward to pass similar resolutions.

“With the participation of the stakeholders, voters and citizens, we hope to have free and fair election in the true spirit of democracy and there will be peaceful conduct of the election,” he said.