Wokha, January 4 (MTNews): Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS has informed all concerned that, in view of the forthcoming General Election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, declaration of village, Area or Range consensus candidates by various organizations, village councils or Range organizations is in violation of various election related laws and an 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 or restrain is an offence under Sections 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 Deputy Commissioner cautioned.
Further, it was stated that the same has been reiterated by the ECI in its instructions dated April 26, 2014 that further prohibits any organization 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 the same by any organization can also lead to debarment and denial of permission to hold any further programmes or activity,” the DC added.
Further, it was also mentioned that 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 Organizations/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,” the DC cautioned.
“Any organization/persons that violate the same shall be dealt with strictly under the applicable penal provisions of law,” the DC added.