Dimapur, Oct. 30 (EMN): Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Abhijit Sinha, has notified that as per Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the campaigning period for bye-election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 14-Southern Angami-I assembly constituency and 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency should come to an end with effect at 4 pm on November 1.
The notification has also prohibited public meeting during the period of forty-eight hours ending with the hour fixed for conclusion of poll. Accordingly, it stated that no person should convene, hold or attend, join or address any public meeting or procession in connection with the election; or display to the public any election matter by means of cinematograph, television or other similar apparatus; or propagate any election matter to the public by holding or by arranging the holding of any musical concert or any theatrical performance or any other entertainment or amusement with a view to attracting the members of the public.
It cautioned that any person who contravenes the provision is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine or with both.
Further, as per the directives of the Election Commission, the district election administration and police administration should ensure that all political functionaries, who are not voters of the constituency going for bye-elections, should leave the constituency immediately after the campaign period is over.
In another notification, the CEO has prohibited conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising the result by means of the print or electronic media or disseminating in any manner in connection with the bye-election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly from 14-Southern Angami-I and 60th Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituencies between 6 am on November 3 and 6 pm on November 7.
Referring to Section 126(1) (b) of the RP Act, 1951, it stated that displaying any election matter including results of any opinion poll or any other poll survey in any electronic media would be prohibited during the period of 48 hours ending with the hours fixed for conclusion of poll for the bye-elections.
CEO also informed that all the electors, who have been issued EPICs, should produce the same for identification at the polling station before casting their votes.
Those electors who are not able to produce the EPIC should produce one of the alternative photo identity documents such as Aadhaar card, MGNREGA job card, passbooks with photograph issued by bank or post office, health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of ministry of Labour, driving license, PAN card, smart card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian passport, pension document with photograph, service identity cards with photograph issued to employees by central, state government, PSUs or public limited companies, and official identity cards issued to MPs, MLAs or MLCs for establishing their identity.
It stated that photo voter slip would not be accepted as a stand-alone identification document for voting, though it would be prepared and issued to electors. Electors are required to carry EPIC or one of the 11 alternative documents as specified above by the Commission for voting.
The polling will take place on November 3 from 6 am to 4 pm.