The office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Kohima Nagaland has issued the following order with regard to the conduct of the upcoming bye elections in the two constituencies namely 14-Southern Angami-I and 60-Pungro- Kiphire. The order mentions that in Section 135A of Representation of the People Act 1951 on ‘Offence of Booth Capturing’ provides- Whoever commits an offence of booth capturing shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to three years and with line.

Open declaration of support in favour of a particular candidate/political party by a village/ward/khel or community through public announcement and even through publication in electronic/print media etc. violates the above provisions.

The CEO has reiterated that if any village or ward or community or group of people or media house is found violating or defying the said provisions in connection with any future elections, appropriate legal action shall be initiated against the violator (s) in the interest of free, fair, transparent election and administering social order.

(Morotsung Longchar, IA)