JNS: Six out of the 16 administrative districts in Nagaland recorded “zero per cent” voting during the elections, while the remaining districts saw regular voter turnout.
The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), which has been advocating for the amalgamation of six underdeveloped districts into a single state since 2010, declared a “public emergency” and urged voters to stay at home. Consequently, only a few votes were cast in these districts.
The Chief Electoral Officer of the northeastern state has informed ENPO about alleged attempts to interfere with the election process. It is claimed that certain groups tried to restrict voters’ movement in the eastern Nagaland areas to influence the general election. Therefore, ENPO is required to justify its actions or lack thereof under section 171C(1) of the Indian Penal Code.
ENPO has clarified that the public notice was issued to maintain peace and curb anti-social activities in East Nagaland. They emphasized that consultations with stakeholders led to the declaration of a public emergency in East Nagaland.
The organization further stated that their initiative was voluntary and community-driven, and thus, section 171C does not apply, as there was no crime of undue influence during the elections. They acknowledged that there may have been some miscommunication and expressed their willingness to cooperate with the Election Commission to resolve any issues.
