State Level Awareness workshop with print/Electronic on EEM, EVM, VVPAT, MCMC and Media Related Matters in view of By-Election to Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2020 was held on 8th October 2020 at Hotel Japfu Conference Hall, Kohima.
Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland Abhijit Sinha, Additional CEO N.Moa Aier, Deputy CEO Awa Lorin & Deputy CEO R. Mhathung spoke on Election Expenditure Monitoring (EEM) Paid News/Fake News, MCMC & EVM/VVPAT. The Resource persons dwelt on the importance of election monitoring to ensure in making candidates aware about the proper accounting of election expenditure and also that concealing the expenditure may lead to their disqualification, to also make the public aware that taking or offering bribe for their vote is an offence. The resource persons also dwelt on the types of election expenditure such as permissible under the law (public meetings posters banners Vehicle etc. illegal expenditure distribution of money, gift, liquor or any other item among electors with the purpose of influencing the voters, major legal provision related to election expenditure monitoring. provision of Indian penal code, 1860 and about expenditure monitoring machinery.
Election Observer, CEO also mentioned on public meetings, rallies there is format to apply for permission to hold public meeting/rally in Annexure-16. The resource persons also dwelt on Paid News/Fake News and the strategies to counter fake news, Certification, functions of Media certification & Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and its functions at various levels, EVM & VVPAT, secure Development & Manufacturing by premium PSUs, BEL & ECIL, manufacturing of sensitive equipment critical to the safety and security of the nation, strong security protocols and administrative safeguards, secure handling & management of EVMS/VVPATs.
Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Sinha and Additional Chief Electoral Officer, N.Moa Aier stated the media persons play a major role in keeping the citizen aware in various issues in the society and called upon the media fraternity to be neutral as they are public educators.
(K. Zeliang, Asst Director)