Dimapur, Oct. 8 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Election Officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha has issued an order for conduct of free and fair elections in the upcoming bye-elections to the 14 Southern Angami-I and the 60 Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituencies scheduled on November 3.
The order mentioned that under Section 135A of the Representation of the People Act 1951, an offence of booth capturing would be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which should not be less than one year but may extend to three years and with fine.
It also stated that open declaration of support in favour of a particular candidate or political party by a village, ward, khel or community through public announcement and even through publication in electronic or print media etc. violates the mentioned provisions.
The CEO reiterated that if any village, ward, community or group of people or media house is found violating or defying the said provisions in connection with any future elections, appropriate legal action would be initiated against the violator in the interest of free, fair, transparent election and administering social order.