Dimapur, Jan. 28 (EMN): A civic group pursuing deferment of the Nagaland assembly elections in Nagaland has requested the Election Commission to defer the polls for the state “in the interest of peace and tranquillity.” The perspective to the appeal is the ongoing clamour of Naga civic organisations to the Centre to hold the elections to serve a “solution” to the Indo-Naga political issue.
The Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) issued to the local media on Sun. a copy of a representation addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner of India.
As an independent body, the constitution of India has vested on the Election Commission of India (ECI) superintendence, direction, and control of the elections in the country including that of the president and vice-president of India. The date of polling for Nagaland has been scheduled to be conducted on Feb. 27.
“The ECI is aware that numerous memoranda and written appeals have been made by all sections of people in Nagaland, including the present elected government in the state seeking for deferment of elections in favour of early solution to the protracted Naga political issue,” the representation stated.
“On the demand of seeking ‘solution before election’, we want to inform your office that on the 25th of January, 2018, at a public consultative mass gathering, the people have spoken in one voice expressing their democratic right. This is what the people of Nagaland desire:
For deferment of assembly elections in Nagaland to a later date so as to allow bringing to a conclusion, in time, the peace dialogue between the government of India and the Naga political groups.”
The group also referred to the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly moving a resolution on the 15th of December in 2017 during its 19th session stating “(the assembly) urges upon the government of India to take emergent and extraordinary steps to usher in an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political issue well before the general elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly slated in March, 2018.”
Likewise, the representation stated that the assembly urged the Election Commission of India not to announce the general elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly until the government of India arrives at a solution to the Naga political Issue ‘in order to enable all Nagas to enjoy their due democratic and other rights and function as a more empowered electorate during the elections that may be held after the solution.’
The organisation stated: “Rest assured the people of Nagaland are keen and determined to work with the ECI in exercising their franchise to have an elected government. We cannot however participate in such an exercise till our desire for a political solution is met. We make this appeal based on good reasons.”
The opportunity for a peaceful resolution of the Naga political issue has never been this favourable as the political negotiations are in advance stage and “we cannot effort to distract the focus on the process at any cost,” the CCNTHCO stated.
“Your decision to defer the elections will give crucial time that is needed now for the negotiations to have logical conclusion without allowing anything whatsoever to hamper it,” it added.
