Large-scale booth capturing a feature of Nagaland election
Election Commission of India was likely to give the go-ahead for re-poll in eight polling stations spread over several constituencies under Zunheboto, Dimapur (Ghaspani-II), Phek, Tseminyu, Mon and Tuensang.
In Mon district, there will be re-poll in some polling stations under three constituencies. These include- polling station 1 Aboi Headquarters under 47 Aboi A/C and polling stations 10 and 11 Yongkhao village under 55 Tobu A/C.
It was also reported that re-poll would also held for polling station number 21 at Shiyong village under 42 Wakching A/C.
In 55 Tobu A/C, it was learned that villagers destroyed all the materials except EVM and even took away officers’ dairies. The reason for re-poll in Aboi was not known at the time of filing this report.
Demand for re-poll
Janata Dal (United) has demanded re-polling in six polling stations (PS) under 40 Bhandari A/C alleging that Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in nexus with armed “underground militants” also resorted to booth capturing in these polling stations.
The report alleged that voters of Ralan Area under 40 Bhandari A/C were deprived of their right to by NCP workers and armed “underground militants” numbering around 150.
The complaint also alleged two groups from the underground faction, assaulted voters after binding the hands of JD (U) supporters under the polling stations – Old Chandalashung Village (PS-40/36), Soshan Village (PS-40/67), Liphanyan Village (PS-40/32), Tchuchanphen Village (PS-40/61), Yanlum Village (PS-40/63) and S. Wochan Village (PS-40/63).
JD(U) warned that if re-polling was not ordered, it will be compelled to expose “partisan approach” of the Election Commission of India. JD (U) requested the RO/DEO to “verify” the complaint and direct re-poll in the polling stations.
Election Agent for NPF candidate under 34 Atoizu constituency has appealed to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland and the ECI to invalidate all votes cast in Shena New and Old villages,Usutomi and Zhevishe under Saptiqa areas on Saturday on account of booth capturing.
34 Atoizu: Khevukhu Kiba, the election agent of NPF candidate and sitting member Y.Doshehe alleged that GPRN/NSCN prevented public from voting by threatening the polling officials.
He also alleged that the beneficiary, independent candidate Er. Picto Shohe was the beneficiary.
36 Wokha: Indian National Congress (INC) candidate E.T.Ezung from 39 Wokha assembly constituency has demanded re-poll in Wokha town, Wokha village, Longsa and surrounding areas. He accused rival parties of booth capturing and intimidation.
In a letter to CEO Nagaland, E.T. Ezung alleged that Congress polling agents were not allowed to enter polling booths while rival party workers posing as Congress agents acted on unauthorized direction.
He also alleged that Congress supporters in Wokha town, Longsa village and Wokha village were prevented from going to the polling stations.
The re-polls are being considered by the ECI on the strength of complaints of ‘booth capturing’ and irregularities by supporters of candidates in various constituencies.
There were also reports of ‘booth capturing’ ( also popularly known as ‘couping’ or coup) at several polling stations in the districts of Mokokchung, Dimapur and Wokha.
However it was learnt that the demands for re-poll were yet to be entertained. Booth capturing has become among the regular features of elections in Nagaland.
The modus operandi is done in two ways- flood the peripheral area near the polling booth with bogus voters who get back on the line after casting their votes. In this manner, the cycle is repeated numerous times unless the polling officials step in.
In some places, usually villages, volunteers queue up and vote for the entire community in pursuance of the ‘diktat’ issued by the village authorities to vote for a particular candidate. In such occasions, no supporter of the rival candidate is allowed to enter the polling station.
In the past, several candidates were successful in getting elected through such devious methods. The diktats issued by various communities clearly expose the intents and purposes of how ‘en bloc’ voting is to take place.
Unfortunately, such incidents have not been reported to the higher ups in the districts and for which the District Election Officers and Deputy Commissioners were unable to respond.
Even if a candidate complained, the DEO would not be able to take cognizance of such complaints unless the presiding officer(s) reported the matter.
As reported, there has been dissatisfaction expressed by several candidates including political parties over the ineffective roles of the Central Election Observers deployed to the districts.
One political party’s spokesperson had described the Central Election Observers as “inactive, inefficient and unresponsive”. In fact some of the Central Election Observers were totally at sea regarding the local situation.