Naga scholars seek ECI’s intervention on state elections

Dimapur, Feb. 6 (EMN): The Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA) had an audience with the Chief Election Commissioner of India Om Prakash Rawat and his colleagues on February 2 to apprise him and seek intervention on the issues pertaining to deferment of Nagaland state assembly elections at the backdrop of the Naga people’s desire for an early solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem. In the representation to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, the delegation made it clear the prevailing grim situation in Nagaland after the Naga people’s collective decision for deferment of election. It was clearly put forward that the election commission, being an independent constitutional authority on election matters, is bound to take cognizance of the ground reality in Nagaland and respect the sentiment of the Naga people for whom, by whom and of whom election should be conducted. The delegation also cautioned that should the Government of India decide to impose election in Nagaland ignoring the expressed desire of the people, the process and outcome of the election would be against the democratic norm. The delegation also submitted the representation of the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) to the Chief Election Commissioner of India on “Deferment of election for Nagaland announced on January 18, 2018, in the interest of peace and tranquillity” at the request of the core committee. A joint press release issued by the association president Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan and the joint secretary Dr. Lungthuiyang Riamei have stated that the Chief Election Commissioner of India along with his five colleagues, after patient hearing to the presentation of the delegation, responded that the commission would look into the representation and take necessary steps. The commission also assured that they would examine the representation and assess the ground situation pertaining to Nagaland state assembly election 2018 and convey to the delegation if necessary.