Bye-polls to 14th Southern Angami- I, 60 Pungro-Kiphire ACs announced

September 30, 2020 311 Views No Comment

Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 29

The Election Commission of India has announced the schedule for bye-election to fill casual vacancy in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 14th Southern Angami- I and 60 Pungro-Kiphire Assembly Constituencies.

N Moa Aier, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland informed that the polls will take place on November 3.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Aier said that meeting on the sensitivity of the polling stations and security coordination related matters will be convened soon.

He added that EVMs and VVPATs will be used during this election.

Electoral photo identity card shall be the main documents of identification of a voter, he added.

However, in order to ensure that no voter is deprived of his/her franchise, if his/her name figures in the electoral rolls, the following alternative documents are also prescribed: Aadhar card, MNREGA job card, PAN card, passbook with photograph issued by bank/post office, health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of Ministry of Labour, diving license, passport, service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by, smart card issued by RGI under NPR, pension document with photograph and official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs.

Model Code of Conduct comes into force
The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) came into force from September 29 in the districts of Kohima and Kiphire in which the whole or any part of the Assembly Constituencies going for bye-election is included, subject to partial modification that, in case the constituency is comprised in state capital/metropolitan cities/municipal corporations, then aforesaid instructions would be applicable in the area of concerned constituency only.

In all other cases, MCC would be enforced in the entire district(s) covering the constituency going to bye-election(s).

The MCC shall be applicable to all candidates, political parties and the state governments concerned. It shall also be applicable to the union government for the district concerned, Aier said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohima and District Election Officer, Gregory Thejawelie informed that MCC comes into force with immediate effect throughout Kohima district except for the areas under the Kohima Municipal Council other than Ward No 5 Kitsubozou (Chotobosti) which falls under 14 Southern Angami I Assembly Constituency.

Broad based guidelines in view of COVID-19
In view of spread of COVID-19, the Commission has issued broad based guidelines, which is to be followed strictly during the conduct of election.

As per the guidelines, every person shall wear face mask during every election related activity.

At the entry of hall/room/premises used for election purposes- thermal scanning of all persons shall be carried out and sanitizer, soap and water shall be made available.

Social distancing shall be maintained as pert the extant COVID-19 guidelines for the state government and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Adequate number of vehicles shall be mobilized for movement of polling personnel, security personnel to ensure compliance of COVID-19 guidelines.

Aier informed that nodal health officer shall be designated to oversee COVID-19 related arrangements and preventive measures during entire electoral process.

Campaign by political parties/contesting candidates
Door to door campaign: Subject to any other restriction(s) including extant COVID-19 guidelines, a group of 5 persons including candidates, excluding security personnel, if any, is allowed to do door to door campaigning.

Road shows: The convoy of vehicles should be broken after every 5 vehicles instead of 10 vehicles (excluding the security vehicles, if any). The interval between two sets of convoy of vehicles should be half of an hour instead of gap of 100 meters.

Election meetings: Public gatherings/rallies may be conducted subject to adherence to extant COVID-19 guidelines.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/bye-polls-to-14th-southern-angami-i-60-pungro-kiphire-acs-announced