15 Nagaland tribal bodies reiterate ‘solution before election’ appeal
Fifteen tribal hohos (bodies) of Nagaland today in a release issued by their media bureau have reiterated their appeal to the government of India to bring about an honorable and acceptable solution to the protracted Indo-Naga issue before the assembly elections in the state and without further delay.
The 15 tribal bodies urged the Centre “not to hoodwink the innocent Nagas with another sugar-coated slogan or phases” and pointed out that before the 2018 assembly polls in Nagaland, the Naga people wanted a “solution, not election” but the “sugar-coated” phrase “election for solution” of the ruling BJP government had “somehow swayed the innocent Nagas which is now an inkling of deception and distrust.”
Therefore, the 15 tribal bodies have asked the government of India to seriously look into the matter without further delay and as such, bring about ‘solution before election’ if it is serious and diligent enough to solve this protracted issue.
However, it appears that the preparation for forthcoming assembly election in the state is in full swing.
Prior to ECI’s visit, CEO holds meeting with political parties
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), V. Shashank Shekhar, IAS on Monday’s meeting with representatives from various political parties at his Office Chamber in Kohima informed that Election Commissioner of India (ECI) will meet all the recognized political parties during his January 13-15 visit.
The ECI will also be interacting with the senior officers of the State Government including Chief Secretary, DGP, and also reviewing the poll preparedness with all DCs, SPs, and Enforcement Agencies, both State and Central.
CEO also briefed on how the Commission has deployed 50 CAPF Companies in advance and some more would be arriving shortly.
In order to ensure a free and fair poll, the CEO hopes that the citizens will provide all information to the various Governments, Central and State including Enforcement Agencies.
“Election must be conducted like a festive atmosphere,” he said and appealed to everyone to come together for a free and fair election, with no violence and no occurrence of re-poll.
Meeting on accessible election
CEO V. Shashank Shekhar, IAS on the same day chaired the State Steering Committee on Accessible Election (SSCAE) where they deliberate on accessible elections with regard to the forthcoming General Election to Nagaland Legislative Assembly, 2023.
In the meeting, PwD (Persons with Disabilities) mapping and enrolment of voters, free transportation, polling station infrastructures (like location of the polling station on the ground floor/providing ramps/wheelchairs/volunteers for PwDs and senior citizens on the polling day), preparation of pictorial representation through posters and videos and sign language interpreters, appointment of Accessible Observers, IT infrastructure and accessible communication, training and sensitization of polling personnel for facilitation of PwDs and senior citizens, coordination and partnership with CSOs/NGOs, home voting facilities and helpline facilities for PwDs and senior citizens were discussed.
MP Mukul Wasnik releases new Nagaland Congress theme song
As reported earlier, Senior AICC delegation including Mukul Wasnik, Rajya Sabha MP and AICC Senior Observer for Nagaland, Meghalaya & Tripura, and Mohan Prakash, Ex-MP, Chairman, Screening Committee and other senior leaders landed at Dimapur airport today for the Congress Leadership Meeting at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur.
In the meeting, NPCC President K. Therie, Francisco Sardinha, MP & AICC Observer Nagaland, Sanjay Dutt, Ex MLC & Screening Committee Member, and Ranajit Mukherjee, National Secretary of INC were all present.
During the meeting, a rearranged rendition of ‘This land is your land – Nagaland,’ originally composed by Woody Guthrie was released as Nagaland Congress theme song. The rendition was rearranged and performed by Vivi V Yepthomi.