With poll announcement, MCC comes into force in Nagaland

January 19, 2023 26 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 19

With the announcement of the schedule for the General Election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023 on January 18, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes into effect immediately across the State and several districts administrations issued poll-related directives.

‘All the provisions MCC will be applicable to the whole State with regard to all Candidates, Political Parties, the State Government and to the Union Government,’ Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland, V Shashank Shekhar informed in a release thereafter.

The Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer (DEO) Kohima, Shanavas C in a release also informed to all concerned that the MCC comes into force with immediate effect throughout the district and will be in force till the completion of the election process.

Refrain from campaigning: DC Dimapur cautions Govt employees
In a directive, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal cautioned government servants against indulging in politics and freely canvassing for the political party for the ensuing election.

Rule 24 (I)(2) of the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968 debars a Government Servant to become a member of or be otherwise associate with any political party or any organisation which takes part in politics or canvass or otherwise interferes with or uses his/her influence in connection with or stand as a candidate etc, the directive said.

Among others, the display by a Government servant on his(her) person or vehicle or residence of any electoral symbol shall amount to using his influence in connection with an election, it said.

Accordingly, if any specific complaints are received, stern action would be taken against the delinquent government employees and would be “viewed seriously for contravention of Rule 24 (I)(2) of the Nagaland Govt. Servant Rules, 1968,” it added.

DC Wohka, Chümoukedima take preventive measures
Meanwhile, DC Wokha and DC Chümoukedima have issued separate notifications informing of urgent MCC preventive measures implemented to ensure free and fair conduct of elections.

DC Wohka Ajit Kumar Ranjan in an order stated that carrying any kinds of arms or ammunition by any person within Wokha District is prohibited while all licensed arms “unless exempted under law,” must be deposited at the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, the usage of public address systems or loudspeakers or any sound amplifiers whether fitted on vehicles of any kind whatsoever or in static position used for public meetings for electioneering purposes during the entire election period ending with the date of declaration of result will not be permitted at night between 10PM- 6AM in both Wohka and Chümoukedima.

All political campaigning, meeting, rallies, and processions in connection with elections must be held only after obtaining due permission from the competent authority and intimation to the concerned police station, the directives stated.

Further, due permission must be obtained for use of loudspeakers and vehicles during the campaign.

All banners, posters, hoardings etc., carrying political symbols, photos of political leaders and any wall writing, defacement in any other forms, flags etc., on government property will be removed within 24 hours.

All unauthorised political advertisements in form of wall writing, posters, papers or defacement in any other form on public property and public space like bus stands, roadways, buses, electric/telephone poles, municipal/local bodies’ buildings etc, will be removed within 48 hours.

The same must be complied with at private properties also within 72 hours, added the directives from Wohka and Chümoukedima.