Photo Courtesy: morungexpress
Kohima: The Nagaland State Election Commission has introduced strict voter identification requirements for the municipal bypolls set for June 16. Voters in three specific locations, including Ward 11 of Chumoukedima Town Council, Ward 8 of Wokha Town Council, and Ward 9 of Atoizu Town Council, must present approved documentation to cast their ballots.
Under the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023, presiding officers will verify voter identities using one of eight accepted documents. These include an Indian passport, driving license, Aadhaar card, PAN card, or government-issued service identity cards. Voters may also use a bank or post office passbook with a photograph, a pension document, or an indigenous inhabitant certificate issued by relevant administrative officials.
The commission established flexible rules for families, noting that documents held by the head of a family or other members can verify the identity of relatives if the relationship can be established. Officials also confirmed that minor errors regarding names, age, or addresses will not prevent a person from voting if the officer is satisfied with the identity proof.
Despite these provisions, the commission emphasized that the presentation of valid identification remains a prerequisite. The SEC stated, "No elector would be permitted to exercise his or her franchise unless one of the prescribed identity documents is produced at the polling station."
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