Nagaland bye-polls: 3 villages in Kiphire served show cause notice

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 28 (EMN): As the bye-elections to the two assembly constituencies in Nagaland draw closer and election campaigns by the political candidates and parties intensifies, three village councils in Kiphire district have been served a show cause notice over alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The additional deputy commissioner (headquarters) and returning officer of 60-Pungro-Kiphire Assembly Constituency, Nyempo Wallim had on October 27 issued a show cause notice to Penkim Village Council, Tsurevong Village Council and Lopfukong Village Council.

The notice has referred to the order issued by the chief electoral officer of Nagaland on June 7, 2017, prohibiting ‘open declaration of support’ in favour of a particular candidate or political party by a village, ward, khel or community through public announcement and even through publication in electronic or print media etc., which violates the democratic principles of the constitution of India and the conduct of the free and fair elections.

“Whereas, it is found that the above village councils are openly declaring their support for certain candidate/s in defiance of the CEO’s order and in violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC),” stated the notice.

[Also read: 8 candidates in fray for 2 assembly seats in Nagaland]

According to the notice, the three village councils have been summoned to the returning officer’s office to explain ‘why appropriate action as per the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) order should not be initiated against them’, on or before October 29, 2020.

It may be mentioned that the bye-elections to the 14-Southern Angami-1 and 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituencies will be held on November 3 with eight candidates in the fray for the two vacant seats.

A total of five candidates — one each from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC), and three independents – will be contesting for the 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly seat. The candidates are Lirimong Sangtam of BJP, Khaseo Anar of INC, and three independents — S Kiusumew Yimchunger, Shellumthong Yimchunger and T Yangseo Sangtam.