EC warns Nagaland village councils against backing candidates

GUWAHATI: Election Commission has warned village councils against favouring, sponsoring or excommunicating candidates in poll-bound Nagaland. There was earlier a similar warning in Meghalaya which too goes to polls on February 27.

Village councils are statutory bodies which assist the administration in formulating different schemes for village development. There were reports of village councils rallying around some candidates in Wokha and Mokokchung districts of Nagaland.


Chief electoral officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha told ET, “We have come across instances of village councils backing or excommunicating candidates. This is not permissible and we have issued directive where village councils are asked to refrain from of favouring or sponsoring and excommunicating candidates, for it interfered with right of individuals in freely exercising their franchise.”

“This is an infringement on the free and fair conduct of polls. Deputy commissioners and superintendent of police are asked to check whether village councils indulge in such activities. We have made it clear that both village councils, and candidates for whom the council are canvassing, will be held responsible and legal action will be taken against them,” he added

Director General of Police, Nagaland, Rupin Sharma said police have commenced drive against people who are involved in or are likely to be involved in vitiating the process of free and fair polls.

Chief Election Commissioner, Om Prakash Rawat who was in Shillong recently said the Election commission is committed to preventing any influence by village councils (Dorbar and Rangbah Shnong) on the voters.