Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS has informed all concern that, in view of the forthcoming General Election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, it was brought to the notice of all concerned that declaration of village/Area/Range consensus candidates by various organisations/village council/Range organisations is violative of various election related laws and offence under the Indian Penal Code.

Undue influence at elections including interference or any attempt to interfere with the free exercise of electoral right by any means such as threat of injury/restrain is an offence under Section 171 C, 339 and 340 of IPC. Under Section 125 of Representation of the People Act 1951, any attempt to promote enmity between classes in connection with elections on grounds of religion, race, caste, community or language constitutes electoral offence and is also punishable under Section 153A, 153B, 295A and 505 (2) of IPC.

The same has been reiterated by the ECI in its instructions No.437/INST/2014 – CC&BE dated 26.04.2014 that further prohibits any organisation or group from activity or statements that amounts to attack on personal life of any person or is malicious or offends decency and morality. Violation of same by any organisation can also lead to debarment and denial of permission to hold any further programmes/activity. Further, the village councils being auxiliary to the administration under Section 15 of The Nagaland Village Council Act 1978 is bound to be neutral in matters related to election.

Therefore, all the public/Range Organisations/Village Councils are to take due note of above provisions of law and refrain from declaration of village/Area/Range consensus candidates or any other activity that subverts free exercise of electoral right by any means such as threats of injury or wrongful confinement. Any organisation/persons that violate the same shall be dealt with strictly under the applicable penal provisions of law.

(DPRO & IA, Wokha)