Despite Naga civil society organisations threatening statewide bandh on February 1, a gazette notification for the February 27 Nagaland Assembly election was issued by Nagaland Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar on Wednesday.
The Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations had threatened to impose total Nagaland bandh on February 1 if the Election Commission of India goes ahead with the issue of gazette notification for the Assembly election.
As recommended by the Election Commission of India in pursuance of sub-section (2) of section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, the Governor of the State of Nagaland is pleased to call upon all Assembly constituencies in the State to elect members to the Legislative Assembly of the State in accordance with the provisions of the said Act and of the rules and orders made there under, the notification, by order and in the name of the Governor, issued by the Chief Secretary said.
It said in accordance with the provisions of clause (I) of Article I 72 of the Constitution of India, the existing Legislative Assembly of the State of Nagaland, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue up to and including March 13, 2018 and shall thereafter stand dissolved on the expiry of its duration.
The notification further said in terms of sub-section (I) of section 15 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 (43 of 1951), a general election has to be held for the purpose of constituting a new Legislative Assembly of the State.
Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Sinha while addressing media persons in Kohima on Tuesday said nominations can be filed in returning officers (ROs) offices from 11 am to 3 pm till February 7 after issuance of the election notification.
The CEO also said nominations cannot be filed outside the State and if candidates are not allowed to file nominations, he or she should approach ROs, DEOs and SPs.
“We are all prepared for the polls,” Sinha asserted while appealing to everyone not to vitiate the election process.
Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) on Tuesday affirmed state-wide bandh on February 1 will be observed as scheduled.
CCNTHCO said all educational institutions will remain closed, while army and paramilitary, police, district administration, media persons, and emergency medical services will be exempted from purview of bandh.
