The EVMs and VPAT expected to reach Kohima would be kept in Strong Room under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner's office in Kohima on Aug 20 afternoon.
Assistant Election Officer R Toshimeren Aier has been asked to direct and request political parties in Nagaland, NDPP, BJP, NPF and Congress to ensure that they depute respective representatives to be "witness" the process as per protocol.
New Delhi
The speculation may end soon. Official sources said that Electronic Voting Machines EVMs and VPAT will reach Nagaland on Saturday, Aug 20.
Does it mean elections in Nagaland may be advanced and held in December along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's native state of Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh ?
Nothing can be ruled out as of now - is the safe refrain from a section of bureaucracy and also the political leaders.
The speculation about advancing the polls was raised when BJP central leadership agreed to seat share formula of 20:40 in favour of it's regional partner NDPP on July 26.
This has of course triggered further debate on the need to arrive at a Solution to the Naga issue.
Pressure would mount on all stakeholders including the centre and also NSCN-IM and the opposition-less Neiphiu Rio government in the state.
There are already strong voices against elections at this juncture or in next few months without arriving at a solution.
The Government of India is aware of the pressures from civil societies and apex tribal bodies Nagaland Tribal Council and GB Federation and also the newly floated Nagaland People's Action Committee for an early solution.
On the eve of Independence Day, a few Naga leaders and social organizations were "counseled" by the Government of India not to give up "optimism".
"Nagas are fighters and brave and hence let us not give up optimism," one key source has said.
Sources, however, said just arrival of EVMs does not mean polls would be advanced. But at the same time there are some tools with the authorities to advance assembly elections as the Supreme Court recently gave an order setting early February 2023 as deadline for holding municipal polls.
Both the polls timing cannot clash, a source pointed out.
According to several Naga intellectuals and leaders a pall of gloom prevailed in the state of Nagaland when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech on Monday, Aug 15, did not find any mention of Naga peace parleys.
 |
| Crucial time in a successful career |
No comments:
Post a Comment