New Delhi:

Voter turnout in six Nagaland districts so far has been almost zero after the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization, demanding an independent government with more financial autonomy, declared a “public emergency” and called on locals to boycott the election. is zero.

The chief electoral officer of the northeastern state has issued a notice to ENPO for disrupting the electoral process. The top poll official said in a statement that the group was trying to “use undue influence… to interfere with the residents of eastern Nagaland from voting freely in the general election”. Accordingly, the ENPO was “directed to show cause… as to why action should not be taken under Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code,” the official said.

The relevant subsection states that “any person who voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right shall be guilty of improper influence on an election”.

Read | Nagaland group decides to boycott Lok Sabha polls

ENPO responded that the “primary objective” of the announcement was to “reduce the likelihood of riots and the risks associated with the gathering of anti-social elements in the eastern part of Nagaland under our jurisdiction”. The organization stressed that “the Eastern Nagaland region is currently under a state of public emergency”, which was declared after consultation with stakeholders.

ENPO said it was a “voluntary initiative” by the people and argued that action under section 171C “does not apply… as no offense related to undue influence was committed in any election…”

“Given that the closure was voluntarily initiated by the people, there is no question of enforcement or enforcement by ENPO or any other agency,” the statement said, adding that it was “ready to cooperate with the Electoral Commission, if any”. Are there any misunderstandings or misinterpretations?”

On March 30, ENPO held a lengthy closed-door meeting with 20 provincial councilors and other organizations, at which they reiterated their decision to abandon the Lok Sabha elections entirely. A coalition of East Nagaland legislators comprising 20 MLAs has asked ENPO to reconsider its decision.

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The next day, ENPO informed the Election Commission of India about their move to not vote in the elections. The statement said the decision was not taken lightly and “reflects the sentiments and aspirations of the people of East Nagaland who have tirelessly advocated for our rights and aspirations within the framework of democratic governance”. The statement said the decision was not a show of contempt for democracy.

Read | Won’t contest polls, unfulfilled promises: East Nagaland group

A “state of public emergency” was declared on March 8. During this period, ENPO, the apex body of the seven Naga tribes in the region, and its front organizations were not allowed to conduct polls.

ENPO had also issued a call for abstention before last year’s parliamentary elections but withdrew it after assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Nagaland has one Lok Sabha seat, which has been held by Tokheho Yepthomi of the nationalist Democratic Progressive Party since the 2018 by-elections. The NDPP is an ally of the BJP.

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