Nagaland’s new Chief Electoral Officer stresses on improving electoral roll

Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 2 (EMN): Nagaland’s new Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), V Shashank Shekhar on Friday emphasised on improving electoral roll in the state and expressed hope that different stakeholders, common man and women of Nagaland, non-governmental organisations, government machineries and the political setup would give their feedback.

The official interacted with journalists in Kohima on Friday, a few days after assuming his new role as the CEO of Nagaland.

Shekhar pointed out that at the district level, district election officers, deputy commissioners and the district administration play an important role in the conduct of the election and in all election-related activities.

He maintained that as an election observer to many states, the press — electronic and print media — plays a very crucial role in giving feedback, which he said is ‘very useful’ in improving the overall election system.

He expressed hope that the media fraternity in the state would continue to play a crucial role.

Maintaining that polling or voting is the very heart of the democratic system of governance in the country that had been adopted in the constitution, he said there are also many other activities for electoral accuracy, electronic voting machines management and also conducting awareness programmes.

He opined that the state can learn and adopt the best electoral practices of other states, citing Mizoram, which he said has done a ‘very good job’ in terms of electoral management.

Shekhar, whose is not new to elections, revealed that he had been associated with polling in various field capacities at district level. “As an election observer, I have been to many states,” he said recalling his stint in West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Tripura and Assam.

The CEO further stressed on the need for Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme in the state, an exercise that is being conducted throughout the country even during the non-election time.

He said SVEEP programme is interesting, stating that creating awareness by clubs in schools, colleges and universities is a good way of reaching out to the voters. He expressed optimistic that the programme and other activities would pick up though the entire world has been affected by the ongoing pandemic.

He also expressed his happiness on coming back to Nagaland last year, describing abundance of nature in the state as a great blessing.

It may be mentioned that the officer had earlier served as Commissioner and Secretary to the Governor of Nagaland besides his stint as Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Mokokchung, ADC in Tuensang, and SDO  in Phek before leaving on central deputation. He returned to the state last year after working with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, and Ministry of Home Affairs.