Western Sümi Hoho seeks an AEO for Niuland, saying residents of 105 villages travel outside the district for voter services
DIMAPUR — Residents of Niuland district continue to travel outside the district for routine electoral services, nearly five years after it was created, according to the Western Sümi Hoho (WSH).
In a representation to the chief electoral officer (CEO), Nagaland, the Sümi body called for immediate posting of a dedicated assistant electoral officer (AEO) for Niuland, describing the absence of a functional electoral office as a major administrative gap.
Niuland became Nagaland’s 14th district in December 2021. However, according to the WSH, the district still does not have a functional AEO office, leaving residents dependent on electoral services outside the district.
The hoho said that residents of 105 villages—85 under the 4-Ghaspani-I Assembly constituency and 20 under 5-Ghaspani-II—face difficulties accessing routine services such as voter registration, correction of electoral details and updating Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPIC).
The lack of a local electoral office has added to the logistical difficulties faced by residents and, the WSH stated, runs counter to the purpose of decentralising administration through the creation of new districts.
It urged the CEO to intervene and ensure that an AEO is posted in Niuland without further delay.
According to the organisation, a dedicated officer would bring electoral services closer to residents and make electoral administration more accessible and efficient.
The WSH also stressed that the creation of a new district should be accompanied by the necessary administrative infrastructure, allowing residents to access essential civic services locally.
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