As Nagaland gears up for the ensuing general election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), workshop and meetings have been conducted and information disseminated for smooth conduct of the election.
WORKSHOP ON SVEEP
Central Bureau of Communication, Field Office Kohima, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Ministry in association with the office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland organized an Orientation Workshop on Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) in Kohima on February 11. Addressing the workshop, DC and District Election Officer of Kohima, Shanavas C said that younger generation should be educated on the illegal activities during election so that they contribute for a free and fair election.
He termed young population as a bridge between the elder and children and emphasized that change cannot be expected to take overnight, and urged the young people to be messengers in dissemination the proper meaning of democracy.
On the Private Registered Troupe (PRTs), the DEO said they can play a big role in creating awareness on free and fair election among the masses in the form of street dramas and songs which will attract a lot of attention.
DEO also called on the people to be ambassadors of change in their neighborhoods as well as in their society and hoped that this election will be different.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland, Shashank Shekhar said with the final list of the candidatures, campaigning was likely to pick in the next few days.
He said the concerned Central and State enforcement agencies were working overtime to control the illegal election activities.
The technical session was attended by deputy secretary and OSD to the office of CEO, Kikumsungla Jamir as resources person. Jamir spoke on the goal, vision, strategies and motivation of SVEEP.
ZUNHEBOTO
A meeting between the candidates and representatives with the General and Expenditure Observers was held at the DCs Conference hall Zunheboto on February 11.
According to DEO Zunheboto, at the meeting, the political parties were informed of the poll related activities that needed permission before organised and travel permit for travelling during the poll day.
The DEO also informed about Suvidha portal and various ECI apps which will help the voters.
General Observer for 31,32 and 33 A/Cs, Amit Kumar said that the meeting was conducted to maintain transparent and peaceful process. He therefore sought cooperation and support from all the candidates.
General observer Raj Kumar 34,35 and 36 A/Cs also interacted with the candidates and their representatives. Harish Kumar Expenditure Observer explained about expenditure to be made and its procedure during the election.
SP Vishal Chauhan while interacting with the candidates said that sufficient forces with more than 5500 armed police forces and CAPFs have been deployed to conduct free and fair election. He informed that no illegal activities will be tolerated during the election period.
Lastly the representative of the candidates also interacted and presented their views with the observers, SP and DC and DEO Zunheboto.
KIPHIRE
An all-party meeting with General Observer, Police Observer and Expenditure Observer in the presence of DC Kiphire and SP Kiphire was held in the Conference Hall of DC and DEO, Kiphire on February 11. DC Kiphire T.Wati Aier, who chaired the meeting, called upon the party agents to abide by Model Code of Conduct.
The Observers also impressed upon the party agents to cooperate with the election machinery and follow the Model Code of Conduct. They also informed that their mobile numbers and place of stay has been disseminated through the newspapers for public perusal and that any citizen can approach them for redressal of any election related issue in the district. Superintendent of Police Kiphire, K.Swarnambika, while appreciating the parties for the peaceful law and order situation in the district hitherto, encouraged the party agents to help the police to ensure that the election in the district was held in a peaceful manner. The meeting ended with a powerpoint presentation on MCC, C-Vigil and Encore Apps.