January 19, 2018

Page 1

Nagaland Post www.nagalandpost.com

Vol XXVIII No. 42

Poll Schedule Dimapur, Jan 18 (NPN): The following schedule has been announced by ECI for Assembly Elections in Nagaland and Meghalaya • Date for issue of Gazette Notification: 31.01.2018 • Last date for filing nomination:-07.02.2018 • Date for scrutiny of nominations:-08.02.2018 • Last date for withdrawal of candidature: 12.02.2018 • Date of polling: 27.02.2018 Date of counting votes:-03.03.2018. CEO press conference: Meanwhile the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nagaland has called a press conference on January 19 at 10 a.m. at Dzukou Hall, Hotel Japfu, PR Hill, Kohima. VVPAT: Like Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines will be used along with EVMs in all polling stations of each assembly constituency of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura to enhance the transparency and credibility. VVPAT machines from one polling station in each assembly constituency will be randomly selected to count paper slips for verification of the result obtained from the control unit.

Rio justifies joining NDPP

D IMAPUR , J AN 1 8 (NPN): Lok Sabha MP and three-time chief minister Neiphiu Rio has said he joined the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP) because it believed contributing to the peace process for an early solution to the vexed “IndoNaga” political issue. Rio who had raised the flag for the Naga solution since heading the NPF in 2003, said the signing of the framework agreement under the NDA government was an important milestone in the peace process. He said the political decision by the NPF to sever ties its old ally the BJP (heading the NDA government at the Centre) was in contravention of the NPF party’s earlier stand to be supporting the peace process by playing the role of facilitator. Rio said he quit the NPF due to the above circumstances and in accordance with the wishes of people and in the greater interest of a collective effort to bring an early political solution. Rio claimed that his decision to quit from NPF was to enable him to work towards realisation of early political solution and remaining committed to the NDA government’s plan for political solution and prime minister Narendra Modi’s development agenda.

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Nagaland polls on Feb 27; results on Mar 3 WC OF NNPGS UNHAPPY ; RAVI EXPECTS TALKS TO RESUME AFTER ELECTION

Staff Reporter

Dimapur, Jan 18 (NPN): After the Chief Election Commissioner of India A.K.Joti announced the election schedules for Nagaland along with Meghalaya and Tripura on Thursday, the Working Committee (WC) of six Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), has expressed displeasure over the announcement. Talking to Nagaland Post, a member of the WC of the NNPGs expressed displeasure with the announcement since it came despite popular demand for “solution before election” by various civil society organisations, tribal hohos including the 60 legislators and ex-parliamentarians. It may also be recalled that the WC had also joined the demand for deferment of election in Nagaland on the plea holding election would affect ongoing negotiations for finding a solution to the Naga political issue. The WC member also made a startling disclo-

sure that “some politicians, leaders” have asked central leaders to conduct elections in Nagaland. The WC member reiterated that “some politicians, leaders did not want postponement of elections. We know and time will tell”. RN Ravi Meanwhile, when contacted, government of India’s Interlocutor for Naga Peace Talks, R.N. Ravi, also confirmed that the Working Committee was “not happy” with the announcement of elections. Asked whether NNPGs have walked out of the peace process, Ravi replied “No, the talk has not broken but there won’t be any talk in the near future as the committee said they will go back and consult the people.” The interlocutor added that the talks could resume after the election which takes place on February 27. Asked about the meeting held Thursday (January 18), the interlocutor said the Working Committee was upset about the fact that none of the political

parties came out in support for deferment of assembly election rather the parties did “quite opposite and wanted to participate in the election”. It may be mentioned that the interlocutor held a series of separate meetings with NSCN (I-M) leaders and Working Committee on January 16 in New Delhi. Sources within NNPGs disclosed that during the meeting the Working Committee had asked government of India to defer the polls. The second meeting was held on January 18 after the announcement of elections. Sources also revealed that the Working Committee was supposed to remain in Delhi for at least two weeks for the ongoing talks but after announcement of poll, had cut short their stay. Meanwhile, Ravi and the NSCN (I-M) will be meeting on January 19 in New Delhi. SCHEDULE With the stage set for holding assembly election

in Nagaland on February 27, a total of 11,89,264 voters will elect 60 members to the next 13th Nagaland L e g i s l a t ive A s s e m b ly which will be constituted after declaration of results on March 3. The term of the current assembly ends on March 13, 2018 and before which the next house has to be constituted. In the previous 2013 election, the NPF for the first time got absolute majority by winning 38 seats . In 2013 there were 187 candidates in the fray including two women with the voter turn out being 90.19%. This was the first ever single majority for NPF after it came to power through a rainbow coalition in 2003 when it could win only 19 seats, four seats less than the Congress. Even in 2008, the NPF could manage to win only 26 seats. In the 2008 election there were 211 candidates of which three were females and voter turn out was 86.19%. The highest number of voters in a constituency is

58,193 under 1 Ghaspani-I constituency while the lowest number of voters is in Mokokchung town at 5772 voters (As on 2013) There were seven political parties in the fray in 2013 which included three national parties-BJP,INC and NCP; one regional party-NPF and two state (regional) parties- JD(U) and RJD; one registered but unrecognised partyUnited Naga Democratic Party (UNDP). In 2008 there were 10 parties in the fray which included three national parties (BJP,INC and NCP); one state local party(NPF); four other state parties (JDU,JDS,LJP and RLD) and two registered unrecognised parties (Adarsh Political Party and United Naga Democratic Party). In the ensuing 2018 assembly election, the state is likely to witness three new entrants- newly floated Nagaland-based Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party(NDPP), Meghalayabased National People’s Party (NPP) and Aam Admi Party(APP).

TR Zeliang inaugurates upgraded Sanis ADC Hq Correspondent

WOKHA, JAN 18 (NPN): Nagaland chief minister, T.R. Zeliang Thursday inaugurated the upgraded Sanis ADC Hq under Wokha district, on the same day Election Commission of India announced the polling dates for State Assembly elections. Zeliang, who is on an inauguration-cumfoundation stone laying spree, also unveiled the inaugural plagues of SDEO offices and upgradation of GHS Sanis to GHSS. Zeliang said the inauguration marked the fulfilment of the long cherished dreams of the people and was a step towards development and progress. The chief minister also reiterated that development projects in the state had been stalled due to landowner issues. He therefore, called upon the people to have a positive approach and cooperate with the government to realize their dreams. Reminding that Sanis, Baghty and Bhandari areas were among the hubs of economic growth, Zeliang said that the people must

Zeliang being felicitated at Sanis on Thursday. (NP) come together to create a conducive environment for development. He further said that Wokha was not just a ‘land of plenty’ but also a ‘land of resources’, and therefore the available resources such as oil should be explored and exploited for economic gains instead of leaving them untapped. Earlier, chairman Potina Kub Village Council Union, N. Nzanbemo handed a memorandum to chief minister. Advisor Higher & Technical Education, N. Thomas Lotha, thanked the people for making the inauguration a reality. (Cont’d on p-7)

Fully geared up for poll: Political parties Organizations urge GoI to expedite talks KOHIMA, JAN 18 (PTI): Political parties in Nagaland Thursday said they are fully geared up for the February 27 state assembly polls, which was announced by the Election Commission today. Ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) secretary general, K.G Kenye said “We are fully geared up and we will field our candidates in almost all the seats”. Asked to comment on the announcement of the assembly poll despite the demand by tribal organisations and the civil societies in the state for a solution to the vexed Naga political issue first, he said “We support early settlement of the Naga issue which is honourable and acceptable to all sections of the people”. Nagaland PCC president, K. Therie said “We are prepared to fight the elections” and expressed

hope that Congress would be able to form the next government in the state. On the demand for solution to the Naga political problem before holding election, he said “The Centre is aware of it but since it is also aware that the solution of Naga issue is not possible before the elections, it has announced the schedule.” Nagaland BJP president, Visasolie Lhoungu said his party was prepared to face the polls and will be setting up candidates “in as many seats as possible considering the winning prospects”. On the possibility of pre-poll alliance after ruling NPF snapped ties with BJP, he said “The decision for the alliance depends on the decision of our leaders at the national level but as a state unit we want to go to the polls alone”. NPF presently has a

ANGDA holds ‘shanti march’

Model code of conduct comes into force

D IMAPUR , J AN 1 8 (NPN): All Nagaland Government Drivers Association (ANGDA) on Thursday took out a “Shanti March” in Kohima to press for their charter of demands. According to ANGDA advisor, Milan Raj Banshi, the charter of demands was submitted to the governor, chief minister, chief secretary and DC Kohima. In a press release, ANGDA president, Nevisietuo Rino, stated that the rally began from the association office at Themezie, High School Road, and it culminated at Nagaland Civil Secretariat. Among others, the charter of demands included creation of one vehicle inspector post in the entire directorate and all DC offices and enhancing scale pay and allowances of head drivers on a par with the assistant superintendent scale in the directorate.

D IMAPUR , J AN 1 8 (NPN): With the announcement of schedule for the conduct of general election to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA), the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) has come into force from January 18, 2018 and will remain in operation till completion of the general elections. In a press release, chief electoral officer (CEO) Nagaland, Abijit Sinha, stated that the MCC will be applicable to all political parties of the union and state governments. CEO Nagaland also reiterated, among others, the directives issued by the ECI for strict compliance by the political parties, candidates and the state government. As per ECI directives, the party in power shall ensure that no cause was given for any complaint that it has used its official position for the purposes of its election

strength of 46 members in the house of 60, while BJP has four and eight are independents. Two seats are vacant. Neiphiu Rio was the chief minister for more than 11 years of the 15 years that the party was in power. NPF president Shurhozelie Liezietsu was chief minister for five months last year when Zeliang had to step down following the unrest over the conduct of elections to urban local bodies with 33 per cent reservation for women. Besides, the three parties the coming assembly poll will also see other political parties in the fray including the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), National People’s Party (NPP) and Aam Aadmi Party, which were formed in the state last year.

campaign. Particularly, the ministers will not combine their official visit with electioneering work and shall not also make use of official machinery or personnel during the electioneering work. From the time elections are announced, the ministers and other authorities will not announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof or lay foundation stones etc. of projects or schemes of any kind or make any ad-hoc appointments in government, public undertakings etc. which may have the effect of influencing the voters in favour of the party in power. According to ECI directives, no fresh release of funds under MP including Rajya Sabha members -Local Area Development Fund, should be made. Similarly, no fresh release of funds under MPs/MLAs

D IMAPUR , J AN 1 8 (NPN): Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), in conjunction with Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, DUCCF & GBs Union (Sadar) Dimapur, has appealed to the Government of India (GoI) to expedite the talks for a lasting solution at the earliest. A press release from NCD president, T. Bangerloba and general secretary Thsapongkyu Sangtam said that the organizations held several rounds of talks on the issue of an early Naga Solution. They expressed appreciation for the many actions taken by the Government of India, particularly the signing of the Framework Agreement and the negotiations with the working group of the Naga National Political Groups. The press release said that the Nagas had suffered for a long time under more than seven decades

of conflict, ceasefire and dialogues, and opined that the disturbance had bred generations of Nagas whose potential for a positive life had been undermined. The organizations held the view that a solution was vital for living normal progressive lives and that the Naga people at large want

permanent peace and a lasting solution. They urged the Government of India to “honour the mandate of the Naga people” and expedite the talks for a lasting solution acceptable to all sections of the Naga people. NCD asks public to cooperate

Meanwhile, in another press release from its general secretary, NCD expressed their happiness at T. R Zeliang laying the foundation stone at Purana bazaar junction Dimapur for improvement of the city portion roads of Dimapur city on NH.29 (km 106.90 to km 124.20).

Local Area Development Fund should be made till the completion of election process. The commission has also directed that there shall be a total ban on the transfer of all officers/officials connected with the conduct of the elections. With regard to use of vehicles, the directive said that official vehicles cannot be used for electioneering work. Meanwhile, announcing the schedule for the conduct of general election to the 13th NLA, the ECI listed the following: issue of notification (Jan 31, 2018), last date for filing nominations (Feb 7, 2018), scrutiny of nominations (Feb 8, 2018), last date for withdrawal of candidature (Feb 12, 2018), date of poll (Feb 27, 2018), counting of votes (Mar 3, 2018) and date before which election shall be completed (Mar 5, 2018). K Y M C


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