Election code of conduct comes into effect for by-poll

Our Correspondent

Kohima, March 19 (EMN): Nagaland chief electoral officer (CEO), Abhijit Sinha, on Friday informed that the model conduct in relation to the ensuing by-election for 51 Noksen assembly constituency would come into force with immediate effect.

Sinha has announced this while interacting with the representatives of the media houses/ personnel at Hotel Japfü in Kohima on Friday. Speaking during the meeting, the CEO informed that upon announcement made by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on March 16, the model code of conduct would come into force with immediate effect for the district of Tuensang with immediate effect.

While referring to the Gazette notification, he stated that filing of nominations would commence on March 22 and closed on March 30. He added that scrutiny of nomination would be held on March 31. The last date for withdrawal of candidatures has been fixed on April 3. The polling would be held on April 17, while counting would be held on May 2.

The CEO informed that the Covid-19 guideline issued by the Election Commission of India in August 2020 would be strictly followed like the last by-election that was conducted. He added that thermal screening and other standard operating procedures (SOP) would be followed even on the polling day and other political meetings.

Sinha also added that the requirements for polling personnel for conduct of the election has been set in placed from the district itself. He informed that a voter has to carry one identity card as notified by the Election Commission of India if not Electoral Photo Identity Card (Epic). He added that voter information slip (VIS) would not be entertained.

Meanwhile, the additional chief electoral officer, Moa Aier, presented a powerpoint presentation on the model code of conduct for the media certification and monitoring with regards advertisement and paid news.

He reminded the participants about the model code of conduct and cautioned against violation and further sought cooperation for a free and fair conduct of election.

Electoral data of 51-Noksen AC

The by-election that would be held on April 17 following the vacancy created by the demise of CM Chang on October 12, 2020. He was elected on Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) ticket.

A total of 11,819 voters/ electors including 6194 male and 5625 female would go for voting in 23 polling stations. There are 31 service electors as per final published on E-roll 2021 which include only male.

Polling station No. 2 Yangpi has the highest number of electors with 953 electors, while polling station No. 19 Yukumsang Compound has the lowest electorates with only 113 electors.

In the last general election held in 2018, a total of 9,812 voters comprising 84.46 percent turned up to cast their votes out of the total 11,617 electorates.

Later, the CEO also held a meeting with political parties.