Photo Courtesy: morungexpress
Kohima: The State Election Commission of Nagaland has released strict entry regulations for the municipal bye-elections scheduled for June 16. Voters will head to the polls in three specific locations: Ward 11 in Chümoukedima, Ward 8 in Wokha, and Ward 9 in Atoizu.
Under the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules, 2023, access to polling stations is limited to election officials, candidates, polling agents, and specific voters requiring assistance. The Commission clarified that elected officials, including Ministers, MPs, and MLAs, do not qualify as public servants on duty and are therefore prohibited from entering polling stations. According to the SEC, "Police Officers, whether in uniform or plain clothes, should also not enter polling stations except when called by the Presiding Officer for maintaining law and order."
Returning Officers must provide photograph-bearing identity cards to candidates, while agents will need to present verified appointment letters. Security personnel assigned to candidates or voters are also barred from entry. To maintain order, officials will establish separate queues for male and female voters, with priority access granted to senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and women accompanied by infants.
Media access is strictly regulated to protect voter secrecy. While journalists can photograph voters outside the station, they are forbidden from documenting internal proceedings, filming inside voting compartments, or interviewing staff. The Commission noted that presiding officers may enlist local village or colony authorities to assist with voter identification and overall polling site management.
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