Election Commission of India fixes March 13 for NPF case hearing

Principal Correspondent
Kohima, March 8

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has fixed March 13 for the final hearing of the NPF factional case. NPF party sources confirmed about the final date fixed by ECI to hear their case.
It may be recalled that on January 12 last Noke led NPF had declared that a ‘special emergency general meeting’ of the NPF was held at Chumukedima, Dimapur which was attended by 430 members, including 23 MLAs, 2 MPs, 8 NPF division presidents and office bearers, 39 assembly constituency units presidents, central office bearers and office bearers of fronts including youth and women wings.
They had also announced election of new party president and office bearers of NPF, which was forwarded to the ECI. However, on January 14, Dr Shürhozelie had written to the ECI not to recognize the list of NPF office bearers under Noke Wangnao.
On the other hand, Noke Wangnao led NPF on January 22 had submitted a petition to the ECI to recognize their group as the ‘original NPF party’ under the Election Symbols (Reservation & Allotment) Order 1968, following which the ECI on February 5 had written to Shürhozelie to file a written response while also asking Noke to respond to January 14 letter of Shurhozelie on the same date.
On both the matters, the ECI had fixed February 16 as the last date and interestingly both sides responded only February 16.
Thereafter, the ECI had once given opportunity to Noke led NPF to submit their counter claims on the written response submitted by Shürhozelie. Noke led NPF submitted its written response with counter claims on February 23, sources said.