Mokokchung, 9 April (MTNews): The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Nagaland has issued a show-cause notice to Yanthungo Patton, the Deputy Chief Minister of Nagaland and a Star Campaigner for the BJP in the General Elections to Lok Sabha 2024 from the 1-Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency.
The notice comes in response to a viral video of a campaign speech made by Patton circulating on social media.
The CEO’s order stated that the video, posted on Facebook by the account ‘Naga Hills’ at around 7 am of 7 April 2024 purportedly featuring Patton delivering a campaign speech in support of the People Democratic Alliance (PDA) consensus candidate, Dr Chumben Murry of the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) during a meeting at LTC (Lotha Tribal Council) Conference Hall, Wokha Town at 1:00 pm on 5 April was reviewed. The CEO also received a report on the same from the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Wokha.
The video captured Patton allegedly inciting village functionaries, including Council Chairmen, Gaon Buras, and Polling agents, to engage in multiple voting, thereby infringing upon the electoral rights of the villagers.
The CEO said in the order that such actions are in clear violation of Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which prohibits interference with the free exercise of electoral rights, and Section 171D, which addresses the offense of impersonation.
In this regard, Patton has been called upon to “show-cause at the earliest” as to why action should not be taken against him.
The notice was issued by Vyasan RI, Chief Electoral Officer on 7 April.