Following the completion of nomination, scrutiny and withdrawals, the stage is all set for the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, to be held on June 26, after a gap of 20 years. According to State Election Commission, 2,76,229 lakh voters (1,03,662 male and 1,04,0167 female) would decide the fate of 523 candidates across 521 polling stations in 269 wards in three municipal councils and 36 town councils in Nagaland.
While 79 candidates withdrew their nominations, 64 were elected uncontested. Addressing the media at the Conference Hall of Commissioner’s office here on Thursday, State Election Commissioner (SEC) TJ Longkumer announced that the final stage had been reached for conducting the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections scheduled on June 26. He described the upcoming ULB election as historic since it could not be held for 20 years owing to issues related to Naga customary and traditional practices. However, he said all these had been amicably resolved and now the whole nation was looking forward to the polls, which the Supreme Court too would be closely monitoring.
Claiming that all logistical arrangements were in place, he appealed citizens to exercise their franchise in free and fair manner, believe in the law and abjure any from violence, warning that the state election commission (SEC) would not tolerate any form of violence.
He thanked the deputy commissioners (DC), returning officers (ROs), assistant returning officers (AROs), superintends of police (SPs) and all those involved in the election process for making necessary arrangement, starting from the recently-held Lok Sabha election. He congratulated all the 64 unopposed members and wished 523 candidates in the fray for a smooth battle.
Longkumer said voting for ULB polls would begin from 7:30 am and conclude at 4 pm. However, voters inside the polling premises would be allowed to cast their votes by extending the closing time if required.
On complaints received by the commission, Longkumer admitted that some candidates had approached the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench on the issue of inclusion of names in the electoral rolls post the timeframe given, though the court dismissed their petition.
On indigenous issues, he said the matter had been examined and it was decided that since indigenous certificates were issued by the state government, it was beyond the commission’s authority to comment.
He however stated that though there was no written complaint so far, the commission took suo moto cognizance on public interest.
He also reminded the candidates that no public meetings could be held two days before the polls, adding that this would be enforced by the civil and police administration. On the NPCC’s complaint about a BJP MLA offering government nomination, Longkumer said the matter was discussed, and a letter sent to the DC and returning officer of the respective jurisdiction, adding that the commission would respond only after their comments were received.
He said the commission would take up only written complaints and no verbal complaints would be entertained. On Lotha Hoho’s complaint about a candidate being ex-communicated, he mentioned that the SEC wrote a letter to the RO concerned to examine the manner.
To a query on the issue of show cause notice served to the ENPO, Longkumer stated that once the ULB elections were over, the matter would be re-examined along with the state government, adding that legal issues would be referred to the Law and Justice department.
8,100 security personnel deployed: Inspector General of Police (IGP) Range and nodal officer Limasunep Jamir disclosed that 8,100 security personnel drawn from 108 companies– 41 companies from District Executive Force (DEF), 29 companies of NAP and 38 companies of IRB — had been deployed across the eight districts (Nuiland and Chumukedima fall under Dimapur) for smooth conduct of the ULB polls.
Out of the total 530 polling stations, he said 92 had been identified as normal, 209 sensitive and 229 hyper sensitive, adding that a multi-layered security arrangement had been put in place.
He assured that the state had adequate local forces available to look in all security aspects.
Limasunep said patrolling and checking of anti-social elements had been intensified, while a letter had been written to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG) not to allow anybody to carry arms, including the card holders, adding that CFMG too had written to the underground groups in this regard.
He said that joint control rooms had been set up in all the districts to monitor day-to-day law and order situation.
Stating that all possible measures had been taken to ensure that there was no breakdown in law and order, the IGP warned that any kind of impersonation and any attempt to unduly influence or bribe the voters on the day of polling would be penalised as per the law of the land.
Limasunep reminded everyone that Section 188 of IPC would be applicable and any trouble monger would be taken to task. He appealed the voters, candidates and political parties to adhere to the rule of law for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.
State government’s nodal officer Jamithung Lotha stated that all logistic arrangements were in place and assured that the SEC would go the extra mile if required for an incident-free election.
He reminded all that since the Supreme Court was directly monitoring the ULB polls, the commission would not tolerate any glitches in the ULB poll process. SEC secretary Wonchio Odyuo, who was also present at the press briefing, said that everything was on track.