Kohima: The State Election Commissioner of Nagaland, T John Longkumer, on Thursday highlighted the importance of conducting elections to the Municipal and Town Councils in the state in a transparent and fair manner, in accordance with the law and relevant statutory provisions.
He informed that the Government of Nagaland has enacted the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023 to provide for, inter alia, the framework for the conduct of Municipal and Town Council Elections and, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Act, framed the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023 to regulate the conduct of elections and its adherence by all concerned.
In this regard, he said that Section 41, 42, and 43 of the said Act lays down the qualification as also the disqualification and eligibility provisions for all citizens who are otherwise eligible and qualified, or do not suffer from any disqualification conditions as provided therein, for being a member of a Municipal/Town Council Ward and/or to vote at the election.
It further stated that Rule 22 read with sub-rule (1), (3) and (4) of Rule 23 of the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023 clearly outlines the regulations whereby a person can vote or stand in election or be nominated as a candidate.
Other than what is explicitly laid down in the Act, Rules or instructions and directions issued from time to time by the Commission, he said that any violation thereof or any deviation from the established statutes, rules, or instructions by making extraneous rules/regulations by any groups/individuals or municipality Wards in conflict with those legally laid down not only vitiates and undermines the electoral process and level playing field but also renders such contravention unlawful and liable to penal action as per relevant provisions of the law.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Longkumer directed all Deputy Commissioners, and the Returning Officers to ensure that the conduct of elections to the Municipal/Town Councils in the respective districts operate within the laid down provisions of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023, the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023 and under relevant guidelines as are made applicable through manuals/instructions/directions that the Commission has issued/issue from time to time.
Further, these officers have been directed to ensure that other than those expressly laid down by the Government and the Commission, any extra-statutory rules and regulations made and adopted by any other groups/associations/municipality Wards insofar as it curtails/deprives the rights and eligibility of an otherwise eligible ward resident to vote or to stand in the current or future Municipal / Town Council elections are effectively checked and not allowed to vitiate and undermine the electoral process.
Also Read | Nagaland: Fire engulfs Dimapur area; over 100 families rendered homeless