Eleven independent candidates and one Indian National Congress (INC) candidate, on June 25, 2024, wrote a formal complaint with the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) and Returning Officer of Mangkolemba, under Mokokchung district, and the State Election Commission which are yet to be submitted.
Sources informed MT that the letter has not been submitted to the RO yet as they are waiting for the signature of two candidates.
The complaint addresses alleged violations of the Election Model Code of Conduct by the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) in the Mangkolemba Town Council (MTC) jurisdiction.
In their letter, the candidates expressed concern over the presence of the MLA from the 29 Jangpetkong Assembly Constituency, who also serves as the Advisor for Transport and Technical Education, Government of Nagaland.
According to the complaint, the MLA and 27 others have stationed themselves at a house in Tzutayong Ward, Mangkolemba, claiming to be performing official and party duties during the ongoing election period.
The complainants argued that this presence violates Part VII, clause (i) (a) of the Election Model Code of Conduct, which prohibits ministers from combining official visits with electioneering activities or using official resources for such purposes. They further cited an order issued by the District Magistrate, Mokokchung, under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, dated June 24, 2024, which mandates non-resident political functionaries and campaign workers to vacate urban local body areas immediately.
Despite these directives, the MLA and his associates continue to remain in Mangkolemba, which the complainants assert undermines the fairness and integrity of the election process within the MTC jurisdiction.
The complainants urged the authorities to promptly investigate the matter and take necessary actions to rectify the alleged violations to ensure a transparent and unbiased electoral environment.