Nagaland Election 2023: Screening committee for MCC constituted

Kohima, January 20 (MExN): Consequent on the announcement of General Election to Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023 by ECI, a screening committee headed by the Chief Secretary for the proposals relating to Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has been constituted with immediate effect.

The committee will be headed by Chief Secretary as Chairman;     Principal Secretary, Home and the member Secretary; and AHOD of department(s) to which the proposal relate as member. 

According to a notification received through the DIPR, the Committee will examine each proposal relating to permission/clarification during the period of Model Code of Conduct before sending it to ECI through the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in the light of Commission’s existing instructions/clarifications on matters in regard to MCC.

All the departments have been advised to not forward any reference/proposal relating to MCC directly to the ECI. 
The department concerned may submit its proposal relating to MCC, if any, to the Home Department for examination by the Screening Committee and further necessary action, it stated. 

Free and fair election
In order to conduct free and fair election, and to maintain peaceful atmosphere during the forthcoming General Election to Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023, the Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer of the respective districts have issued an order with reference to Article 326 of the Constitution of India. 

The provision grants Universal Adult Suffrage to every eligible Indian citizen, Rule 39 of the Conduct of Election 1961 which directs to maintain secrecy of vote by electors, and Section 135A of Representatives of People Act 1951 on offense of Booth Capturing provides – who ever commits an offense of both capturing shall be permissible with imprisonment for period of term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend for three years and with fine.

Besides, an open declaration of support in favour of a particular candidate/political party by a village/ward/khel or community through public announcement and even publication in electronic/print media etc violates above provisions, stated a DIOR report.

The order reiterated that any village or ward or community or group of people or media house found violating or defying the said provisions in connection with the upcoming General Election to Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023, appropriate legal action shall be initiated against the violator(s) in the interest of free, fair, transparent Election and administering social order.

Longleng, Phek arms license holders informed 
The Longleng and Phek, deputy commissioner & district election officer in separate notifications notified that in regard to the forthcoming General Election all arms license holders under the respective districts have been directed to deposit their arms license along with arms/weapons at the nearest Police Station as per the address given in the license on or before January 31.

Failure to deposit the License with arms/weapon within the stipulated time will result in cancellation of License(s) as per the appropriate section of the Law, the notice stated. 

Mokokchung: All the arms license holders under Mokokchung District have been informed to deposit the arms license along with the arm license at their nearest Police Station between 9: 00 am -3:00 pm latest by January 27. 

“Failure to do as ordered will invite necessary action against the offender in accordance with provision of law. Issue of arm license and renewal will be banned/suspended till the completion of election process,” the DC & DEO Mokokchung stated in an order. 

Further, under section 144 of the CRPC 1973, carrying of licensed arms is banned till the completion of election process except by those persons who are entitled. All the administrative 0Mcers are directed to oversee that arm license holders of every type of weapon are deposited in tge police station. 

DC Tseminyu prohibits carrying of arms
Deputy Commissioner & District Magistrate Tseminyu, Dr Zasekuolie Chusi IAS has notified that in the exercise of powers conferred under section 144CrPC, 1973, prohibits the carrying of any kind of arms/ammunition by any person within Tseminyu district.

All licensed arms unless exempted under law shall be deposited at the nearest police station.

Further, the following is directed to enforce the Model Code of Conduct within the Tseminyu District.

•    Use of public address system/loudspeaker s/any sound amplifiers whether fitted in vehicles of any kind whatsoever/in the static position used for public meetings for electioneering purposes during the entire election period ending with the date of declaration of results shall be permitted at night between 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.

•    All political campaigning, meeting, rallies, and processions in connection with elections shall be held only after due permission from the competent authority and intimations to the concerned police station. Further, due permission shall be obtained for use of loudspeakers and vehicles during the campaign.

•    All banners, posters, hoarding, etc, carrying political symbols, photos of political leaders, and any wall writing, defacement in any other forms, flags, etc, on government property shall be removed within 24 hours.

•    Further, all unauthorized political advertisements in form of wall writing, posters, papers/defacement in any other form on public property and public spaces shall be removed within 48 hours. The same shall comply with private properties also within 72 hours.

All administration officers and sector Magistrates/officers have been directed to perform magistrates’ duties to ensure compliance with instant order in their respective jurisdiction without fail. The Superintendent of Police, Tseminyu District is enjoined to implement this order in letter and spirit. DC stated that this order shall take immediate effect and shall be effective till the declaration of results.

SVEEP poster campaign in Dimapur 
Deputy Commissioner and DEO  Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal IAS along with SVEEP icon Dimapur, Aosunep Tzudir, reigning Mr Dimapur officially launched the SVEEP poster campaign for Dimapur District in the office of DC Dimapur on January 20.

A DIPR report stated that during the launching programme, DC Dimapur sought the cooperation of DCC and Auto Union Dimapur who were also present, in spreading awareness about fair and clean election and also educating the voters on proper electoral procedures by pasting the posters at strategic locations and in the auto-rickshaws. 

SVEEP posters written in both English and Nagamese were handed to them. 

Administrative officers including ADC& RO Dimapur, Mhalo Humstoe and other officers were also present during the launching program. 

Political parties briefed on ECI guidelines 
Kohima: In connection with the ensuing General Election, a meeting with representative of political parties was held at Deputy Commissioner Office Conference hall Kohima on January 20. 

A DIPR report stated that the DC & DEO 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 chairman also informed about the ceiling limit of expenditure for the upcoming election. The political parties were also sensitized on various ECI instructions and guidelines on MCC, EE and IT related matters by the concerned Nodal Officers. Altogether, 10 representatives of political parties attended the meeting.

Later in the evening, a meeting of the District Level Standing Committee on Model Code of Conduct was held with the stakeholders.

Dimapur: Deputy Commissioner also the DEO for Dimapur District, Sachin Jaiswal IAS, held a meeting with the representatives of different political parties in the conference hall of DC Dimapur on January 20, stated a DIPR report. 

During the meeting, the DC briefed the representatives of NDPP, BJP, NPF, INC and RPP on the guidelines of the Election Commission with regard to approval from media certification and monitoring committee for any political related advertisement and news. He apprised them for taking permission from the RO, 48 hours before holding any political rallies, meetings etc.

The DC also informed the political parties about the ceiling expenditure of a candidate which should not exceed Rs 28 lakh per candidate from the date of filing of nomination of a candidate till the date of counting results.

He specifically explained about the hoarding spaces earmarked for displaying advertisement in public places if any, the DEO will ensure that all political parties and candidates get equitable opportunity for accessing such spaces through the Municipal authority concerned.

DCP Vesupra briefed the representatives of political parties about the common offences like booth capturing, damaging EVMs, impersonation and the legal proceedings thereof. Both DC and DCP sought cooperation from the political parties for ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.

Meanwhile, rate chart for Dimapur District Election Expenditure Monitoring was handed over to all the representatives of political parties.

Dimapur District Control Center functional
Deputy Commissioner and DEO Dimapur, Sachin Jaiswal IAS has informed the general public that the District Control Centre, under District Election office Dimapur has been made operational and will be functional at all times.

In this connection, public can take assistance from the Dimapur District Control Center for any queries related to the forthcoming Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023, under Dimapur district in the following numbers: 1950 and 6009082491; For complaints: 03862-248009