Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung in a circular has cautioned the village councils to refrain from any type of political activity such as announcement/diktats in favour of the consensus candidates and/or against other candidates/voters.
DC in an order said that the notification has been issued in view of the forthcoming General Election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and that some public organizations particularly village councils have been indulging in political activities by declaring their “consensus candidate” and issuing order/direction/diktats to “other intending candidates” to not contest and/or hold any public meeting/programme relation to election campaign within village jurisdiction.
DC informed that every citizen of India has a statutory right to participate/contest election as per his/her own free will subject to the fulfilment of the requisite qualifications and therefore any attempt of force/coercion to subvert the free will of the citizens will be in violation of the rights guaranteed to the individuals by the constitution and subsequent statutes.
It therefore, warned that non-compliance will invite disciplinary action under the relevant section of the Nagaland Village Council Act 1978 and other statute.
DC Mkg asks VCs to refrain from political activities
