Nagaland: Preparations for smooth conduct of General Election continues

Dimapur, January 23 (MExN): In view of the upcoming General Election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, all respective districts in Nagaland state are gearing up preparations headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) & District Election Officer (DEO).

Longleng: In Longleng, a meeting of the District Level Master Trainers and Nodal Officers with the DEO and Returning Officer, Longleng, Dharam Raj was held at DC’s conference hall on January 23.

A DIPR report stated that DC & DEO and ADC & RO, Longleng briefed regarding the guidelines and instructions of the Election Commission of India, and the time frame to be followed up with strict compliance for smooth conduct of the forthcoming General Election. The members had a sequence of discussion and shared their views and suggestions based on previous experience. 

After healthy interactions sequence of training schedules for Sector Magistrate, Presiding Officers, polling personnel, SST, FST,  VST, VVT, MCMC, Counting Agents, Accounting Team and other committees and agents related to election was framed starting from February 1 for the district of Longleng. 

It may be mentioned that with the announcement of the election Flying Squad Team alongwith Video Surveillance Team in the district have been activated to check violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). 

MCMC for Longleng
The district level Media Certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) for Longleng has been constituted with the following members headed by DC & DEO, Longleng as Chairman, and ADC & Returning Officer, Assistant Election Officer & ARO and District Public Relations Officer, Longleng as members. 

The committee shall consider or decide on pre-certification of advertisement/paid news proposed to be issued in the media by any individual, group, parties or candidate contesting election from the constituency falling within the jurisdiction of the committee.

The MCMC will examine complaints/issues of paid news etc by all members through a monitoring arrangement. The MCMC shall besides, discharge the functions of certification of advertisement and checking of paid news, would also assist in enforcement of media related regulations under the RP Act of 1951. 

The committee shall scan all media (e.g. newspaper, print media, electronic media, cable network, internet, mobile networks, social media, etc) for checking and monitoring of all malpractices related to usage of Media by political parties/ candidate (s).

24×7 Control Room 
In connection with enforcement of MCC in Longleng district, District Contact Centre (DCC) with toll free number 1950 at DC & DEO office, Longleng have been operationalised for complaint redressal. 24×7 Control Room with adequate manpower and logistic facilities had been activated with strict instructions for prompt redressal and disposal of complaint. Control Room number: 8794607805/7005579036. 

DC Kohima directs arms license holders
DC & District Magistrate Kohima, Shanavas C IAS has directed all the arms license holders under Kohima District to deposit their firearms along with ammunition and license to their concerned Police Station latest by January 31. 

Failure to comply shall lead to the cancellation of Arms License (s) and other penal action as per the relevant section of law. The Order also stated that the officer-in-charge of the concerned police station shall furnish a daily report, stated a DIPR report. 

Requisition order
The DC and DEO, Kohima, Shanavas C IAS has issued an order of requisition of the Multi-Level Car Parking at Old NST under Kohima Smart City for parking of the requisitioned vehicles in connection with the conduct of the forthcoming 14th NLA Election 2023 from January 23 till the completion of the election process on priority as election urgent.

DC Chümoukedima appeals 
In regard to discussing matters related to expenditure monitoring for the forthcoming General Election, a meeting was convened at the DC’s Conference Hall, Chümoukedima, on January 21.

A DIPR report stated that at the meeting, DC & DEO, Abhinav Shivam, IAS, apprised the political parties of the protocol of the election expenditure and urged them to strictly follow and take measures for free and fair election as per the model code of conduct. 

He briefed about the election expenditure process related to campaigning in public meetings, pamphlets/posters, banners, vehicles, and advertisements. Failure to lodge the account of election expenditure within the stipulated time will result in disqualification of the candidate as per the section, the DC informed. 

Further, he appealed to the political parties to immediately remove the pamphlets/posters, flags, or banners that are seen along the highway.

DC & DEO Wokha notifies
DC & DEO, Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS has informed all concerned that to facilitate the smooth conduct of the election process, all Heads of Offices under Wokha district have been directed not to release officers and staff transferred under their establishment. This is issued for strict compliance with effect from January 21 until further order, the DC notified. 

DC & DEO Phek holds meeting 
DC & DEO Phek, Kumar Ramnikant, IAS, conducted a meeting of the District Level Standing Committee on Election at DC’s Conference Hall Phek on January 21. The meeting deliberated on the issue relating conduct of the forthcoming 14th NLA election, 2023, and discussed ensuring compliance with the Model Code of Conduct in the District.

Meeting held in Noklak 
A meeting with the district-level standing committee and representative of political parties was held in Noklak at DC’s conference hall. 

During the meeting, Khathyinla, NCS, EAC Noklak Hq explained all the legal provisions and instructions of the Election Commission relating to expenditure and its monitoring and the consequences of failure to comply with them. 

The political parties were also sensitized to various ECI instructions and guidelines on MCC, EE, and IT-related matters by concerned Nodal Officers.