CEO warns VCs, favoured candidates

Against the backdrop of pre-poll violence, especially in Wokha and Mokokchung districts, chief electoral officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha on Monday warned that strong action will be taken against those village councils that passed resolutions in support of some candidates and that even candidates being favoured through such resolutions would also be held accountable.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, Sinha said instructions were very clear and that action would be taken against those violating the directives. He said village councils interfered with right of individuals in freely exercising their franchise by taking such decisions. Such decisions attract legal proceedings against both the council involved and the candidate favoured.
Sinha further warned that action would be initiated against anyone not allowing voters to exercise their franchise freely on the basis of village council decisions. He said the message in this regard had been conveyed to all deputy commissioners (DCs) and superintendents of police (SPs).
Referring to the Tuli incident, where three women were allegedly taken to an isolated place and beaten up on Sunday night, the CEO informed that police had swung into action and that the women were taken to local police station for recording their statements. However, the victims could not give much information, he added. The CEO said FIR was lodged and case registered and case was under investigation.
Sinha admitted that though the complainants had identified the culprits involved in both Bhandari and Tuli incidents, yet no arrest had been made so far.
Regarding the complaint filed by a council in Wokha on the beating up of a middle-aged man, he said investigation had begun on the matter, though no had been arrested.
When asked about the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) assurance to issue directives to DEOs and ROs to ensure safety of voters and property, Sinha said that legal action would be initiated based on evidence.
To queries on measures taken by ECI, he said arrangements had been made for webcasting and videography in all vulnerable polling stations, besides beefing up their security with deployment of additional forces.
The CEO further informed this correspondent that police would guide the Central security forces and decide the course of action as the latter would be at the disposal of SPs and local police officials. He said the Central forces would not act unless they were directed by the local police.
He added that nothing stops the police from utilizing Central forces to take action.
When asked, Sinha denied the failure of imposition of 144 CrPC at Tuli and Chungtia village. He said in some cases perpetrators were arrested and put behind bars. He asserted that security was being strengthened in Wokha and Mokokchung and that there was no shortage of forces in the State.