Campaigning for polls in Nagaland to end on April 17 at 4 pm

DIMAPUR — Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Peren, Vineet Kumar, has notified all concerned that the campaigning period for the general election to the 18th Lok Sabha from the Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency will come to an end at 4 pm on April 17.

He informed that after 4 pm on April 17, no person shall convene, hold, attend, join, or address any public meeting or procession in connection with an election or display to the public any election matter by means of cinematographs, television, or similar apparatus.

Furthermore, no person should propagate any election matter to the public by holding, or by arranging the holding of, any musical concert, theatrical performance, or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public thereto.

He added that any person who contravenes the provisions will be punishable with imprisonment for a term that may extend to two years, a fine, or both.

A DIPR report maintained that after the closure of the campaign period, no campaign can take place within the constituency. The presence of political functionaries and party workers, who have been brought from outside the constituency and who are not voters of the constituency, should not remain present in the constituency, as their continued presence after the end of the campaign period may undermine the atmosphere for free and fair polling.

However, the said restriction is not insisted upon for those office bearers of political parties who are in charge of the state. Such office bearers shall declare their place of stay in the state headquarters, and their movement during the period in question shall remain confined normally between their party office and place of stay.

Ajit Kumar Ranjan, DC and DEO of Wokha, also issued a similar order on Tuesday.

Furthermore, Ranjan announced restrictions on assemblies of five or more persons, including holding any public meetings, in Wokha District. Door-to-door visits may be allowed with prior permission from the DEO/ARO of the assembly segment.

All political functionaries, party workers, and campaign workers who are not voters or residents of an assembly constituency have been instructed to leave the constituency immediately.

It has been specified that officials and staff of the district administration, security personnel, magistrates on duty, medical personnel, students travelling for examinations, and individuals engaged in election duty or essential services will be exempted from these restrictions.

It was stated that due to urgent circumstances, the order is passed ex-parte and shall take effect from 4 pm on April 17 and remain in force until April 20 throughout the district of Wokha.