Dimapur, April 9 (MExN): The National People's Party (NPP) has lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging serious irregularities and deliberate suppression of voter turnout in the Alichen cluster of polling stations under the 28 Koridang Assembly Constituency in Nagaland.
The party raised concerns over a “drastic and highly abnormal decline” in voter turnout in Alichen, where only 1323 votes were cast out of 3310 registered voters, reflecting a turnout of approximately 39.9%, meaning nearly 60% of voters were unable to exercise their franchise.
In contrast, neighbouring polling areas recorded significantly higher participation, with turnout ranging from over 70% to as high as 99%. The NPP pointed out that Alichen alone accounted for nearly half of the total uncast votes in the entire constituency.
Turnout at specific polling stations dropped as low as 15% and 23%, further raising concerns that “voters were either prevented, intimidated, or discouraged from casting their votes,” NPP alleged.
The NPP also alleged that the presence of IRB personnel reportedly “created an atmosphere of fear among voters.” It further claimed that polling was halted for nearly an hour due to what it “described as excessive and unnecessary identity verification checks” conducted by the ECI Observer and district authorities, “disrupting the voting process at a critical time.”
The party stated that no corrective measures such as extension of polling hours or steps to restore voter confidence were taken, thereby disenfranchising a significant section of the electorate, particularly rural voters, women, elderly citizens, and daily wage earners.
Alleging misuse of state machinery, the NPP contended that the outcome of the election may have been “materially affected and does not reflect the true will of the people,” given the large number of suppressed votes and the possibility of a narrow electoral margin.
The party said it has submitted video evidence to the Election Commission to substantiate its claims of polling disruption and administrative interference.
Invoking constitutional provisions and electoral laws guaranteeing free and fair elections, the NPP has demanded a declaration of polling in Alichen as vitiated, a re-poll at all Alichen polling stations under Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), a thorough inquiry into the role of security personnel, election observers, and district administration, and preservation and examination of all relevant records, including videography and polling documents.
“When such a large proportion of voters in a single cluster are unable to participate, the credibility of the election process is seriously compromised,” the party stated.
