Kohima, November 4 (MExN): The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Nagaland, Vyasan R today notified that the campaigning period for the bye-election the 43-Tapi Assembly Constituency (AC) will conclude at 4 PM on November 5.
In this connection, the CEO also stated that there would be a prohibition on public meetings during the forty-eight hours leading up to the conclusion of the poll.
Following the closure of the campaign period, the CEO issued a directive stating that political functionaries and party workers, who do not belong to the constituency but have been brought from outside, should not remain present in the constituency.
The continued presence of such party workers or functionaries after the end of the campaign period could potentially disrupt the atmosphere required for a free and fair poll, he highlighted in a notification.
To enforce this, the District Election and Police Administration have been tasked with ensuring that all political functionaries leave the constituency immediately after the campaign period ends.
However, the CEO informed that the restriction would not apply to the office bearers of the political party who are in charge of the state.
These office bearers are required to declare their place of stay at the state headquarters, and their movements during this period will typically be limited to the party office and their place of stay, he added.
The directive is as per Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and any person “who contravenes this provision shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.”
The bye-election the 43-Tapi AC is scheduled on November 7 and is poised for a 'straight' contest between the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party’s Wangpang Konyak and Indian National Congress’ Wanglem Konyak.
The counting of votes is on December 3.
