Dimapur, Feb. 16 (EMN): In pursuance to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) that ‘No voter to be left behind,’ state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Abhijit Sinha stated that the Election Department has been pursuing all eligible citizens/ residents of Nagaland to be registered in the electoral roll and to enable them to cast vote in the ensuing assembly elections scheduled on February 27.
Stating this in a notification, the CEO informed that the department, for the first time, had identified Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) of different categories in the electoral roll like locomotor disability, speech & hearing disability, visually impaired and others. He said that such persons would be given priority entries in polling stations to cast vote without waiting in queues. He added that even other unidentified PwD voters would be given priority entries provided they produce ‘Disability Id Cards’ to the presiding officers. Besides, he stated that octogenarian and older voters, pregnant women voters identified by Anganwadi workers etc. and women voters with babies in arms would be given precedence over other voters for casting votes.
To reduce rigours of polling processes and making it a pleasant experience on the day of poll for all categories of voters, he stated that the department has taken up with the state government to provide amenities in the polling stations such as (a) drinking water, (b) electricity, (c) ramp for PwD voters, (d) toilet and (e) waiting shed for all voters in queues.
With unprecedented campaigns carried out in favour of free and fair election popularly called as ‘Clean Election Campaigns’ in recent past where various churches bodies, NGOs and students’ organisations have held rallies, adopting resolutions and pledges, he was hopeful that the department’s performance would be improved this time with the support and cooperation of all the stakeholders.
He also stated that ECI has targeted to increase the qualitative participation of the electorate in terms of ethical and informed voting and of providing continuous electoral and democracy education to the people so that electoral malpractices and corrupt practices including inducement of voters and resorting to use of muscle and liquor influences by candidates and political parties in electioneering are done away with. He has urged the voters to abstain from inducement like cash, gift, liquor or community feast organised for campaign purpose during election process as the receiver is also punishable with one year imprisonment and fine under Section 171B of Indian Penal Code.
He also informed the voters to collect evidence of malpractices, capture such photos, videos, audios of malpractices and to upload on DEO’s website/ CEO’s website and the control room or inform authorities by any other means confidentially so that action may be taken against such malpractices.
He further appealed the people to consider the available options and participate in the election in a free and fair manner so that democracy is strengthened.
