Lok Sabha polls in Nagaland on Apr 9

Summary revision shows over 1.43 lakh decrease in voters  Correspondent KOHIMA, MARCH 5 AFTER the decrease in population of Nagaland as per the 2011 census, an astounding revelation has come forth with the summary revision of the electorate for the Lok Sabha polls showing a decrease of 1,43,066 voters from the electoral roll. Announcing that the Election Commission of India has set April 9 as the poll date for Lok Sabha elections in Nagaland, Chief Election Officer (CEO) Sentiyanger Imchen, addressing a press conference here today, said as per the qualifying date set by the Commission, at present Nagaland has 11,74,663 electorate, out of which 5,94,572 are males and 5,80,091 are females. This shows a decrease of 1,43,066 voters as compared to 13,17,729 electorate enrolled during the 2009 LS polls in the State. He also informed that as compared to the 2013 state general election, which had over 11.93 lakh electorate, the LS polls has lesser number. However, without revealing the exact number of deleted names, Imchen said after the summary revision with January 1,2014 as the qualifying date, a total of 21,480 names have been deleted from the previous electoral roll. He said the names of the electors having entries in two places were removed and allowed to continue only single enrollment. The CEO also announced that as desired by the Election Commission, electorate in Nagaland will be using Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) in the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls. He said complying with the orders of the Election Commission, the State would be using EPIC for the first time. However, till date the election department has collected photos of 11.61 lakh voters, he said, adding that the remaining over 13,000 voters have not come forward to submit their photos. But, they still have time to do so, he said. He also said EPIC would be issued in phase manner stating with Dimapur-I, Dimapur-I, Kohima and Tenning. “EPIC would be a must for the electorates to cast their vote during the LS polls, unless a contrary instruction is issued by the ECI,” he said. Disclosing the schedule, he said notification would be issued by March 15 while last date of filing nomination is March 22, scrutiny would be conducted on March 24 while last date of withdrawal of candidature is March 26. Polling will be held on April 9, counting will take place on May 16 while the election should be completed before May 28, the CEO added. On the security arrangements, he said the requirement additional security forces from the Centre would be made only after the filing of nominations and proper demarcation of sensitivity of the polling stations. He said this time the state would have 2059 polling stations, an increase of 269 polling stations. The CEO also informed that the State Election department would carry out massive Systematic Voters Education and Electorate Participation (SVEEP) programmes with an objective to encourage voters to come out and participate in exercising their franchise. Concentrations would be made in the town areas, specially Dimapur as the voters turnout has been comparatively less in the past elections. Maintaining that the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect, he expressed the hope that using EPIC and also continuous voters awareness programmes would in conducting the Lok Sabha polls in a free and fair manner. It may be noted that during the last Lok Sabha Election the turnout was 90.26% with a total of 13,17,729 electorate.