(Morung File Photo)
Kohima, April 9 (MExN): The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland on April 7 has issued a show cause notice to the State’s Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Yanthungo Patton, asking why action should not be taken against him for interfering in the "free exercise of electoral rights of the villagers."
The case pertains to an comment made by Patton, a Star Campaigner for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2024 General Elections to Lok Sabha from the 1-Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency, in Wokha on April 5.
The CEO’s order indicated that the video of the particular event, shared on various social media platforms around 7 AM on April 7, has been viewed.
Besides, as per report received from the District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Wokha, the said video is part of the campaign speech made by Patton in favour of the People Democratic Alliance (PDA) consensus candidate, Dr Chumben Murry of the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), during the meeting at LTC (Lotha Tribal Council) Conference Hall, Wokha Town at 1 PM on April 5.
In the video, Patton is seen "inciting village functionaries such as Council Chairmen, Gaon Buras, and Polling agents to cast multiple votes and hence interfere with the free exercise of electoral rights of the villagers," it added.
The CEO deemed such interference as "violative of Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code, 1860" while "impersonation is an offense under Section 171D of the Indian Penal Code, 1860."
Accordingly, the CEO asked Patton to "show-cause at the earliest" as to why action should not be taken against him.
