Nagaland Congress candidate cautioned over Model Code of Conduct violation

DIMAPUR — The state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has issued a stern warning to the Congress candidate for the Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency in the Lok Sabha election, S Supongmeren Jamir, for allegedly appealing to voters based on religious affiliations, which is a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC).

In an order issued on the eve of polling day, the CEO stated that it had received a complaint from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) unit of Dimapur district on April 17, along with letters purportedly written by the Congress candidate to appeal for votes and portraying the BJP as a threat to religious diversity.

“The genuine nature of the letters was confirmed by report received from the Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer, Dimapur,” it said.

As per the order, Jamir was said to have written to two Ao tribal councils in Dimapur, expressing concerns that the “BJP and RSS are working together to make India, one nation, one culture and one religion only,” and that the re-election of the BJP government would make it “very difficult for our people to live on”.

While Jamir urged the people of Ao tribe in Dimapur and its periphery to “think wisely and cast your precious vote prayerfully,” the order stated that the letters may be interpreted as an appeal by the candidate to vote on ground of his religion for furthering his prospects in the election.

Citing sub-section 3 of Section 123 of the Representation of People Act, 1951, which states that appealing by a candidate to vote on the ground of his religion is a corrupt practice, and Clause (1) and (3) of Part I General Conduct of the MCC for Guidance of Political Parties and Candidates, as well as advisories issued by the ECI, the CEO asserted that there is an urgent need to maintain decorum during the remaining hours before polling commences.

Further, the CEO strictly cautioned Jamir against appealing to communal feelings for securing votes in favour of his candidature.