THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kohima, April 19: There was ‘zero per cent’ voting in 6 districts of Nagaland. However, normal voting took place in the remaining districts.
There are a total of 16 administrative districts in the state, except for six districts, 38.83 per cent voting took place till 1 pm.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), which has been demanding a separate administration or state by combining six backward districts since 2010, declared a ‘public emergency’ and called upon the local people to boycott this election.
After this, almost zero voting has been recorded there.
Also Read- Voting underway on 102 seats in first phase of LS polls including four seats in Bihar
Nagaland CEO issues notice to ENPO
The Chief Electoral Officer of the north-eastern state has issued a notice to ENPO for disrupting the electoral process.
In a statement, the top election official said the group had attempted to exert undue influence by interfering with the free movement of people residing in eastern Nagaland areas to vote in the general elections. Therefore, the ENPO is directed to show cause why action under sub-section (1) of section 171C of the Indian Penal Code should not be initiated.
ENPO says public notification aimed at minimizing disturbances in East Nagaland
The ENPO has responded that the main objective of the public notification was to minimise the possibility of disturbances in the East Nagaland area, which is under their jurisdiction, and to minimise the risk associated with the gathering of anti-social elements.
The organisation underlined the fact that the East Nagaland area is currently under a public emergency, and that this was declared after consultation with stakeholders.
The ENPO said it was a voluntary initiative by the people, arguing that action under section 171C is not applicable as no offence relating to undue influence in any election has been committed.
The statement also said it is ready to cooperate with the Election Commission and there has been some misunderstanding or misinterpretation.
