Cong petitions Election Commission for action on poll violence and repoll

DIMAPUR, FEB 28 age by the youths. However, timely intervention of the police prevented the situation from spiralling out of control. The situation in the town remained tense till evening.

Internet suspended: In Kiphire, apprehending grave law and order problems and post poll violence in the district and fearing use of messaging services like SMS, WhatsApp and other social media platforms in spreading rumours, false information, circulating inflammatory texts, pictures, videos, etc, the Home department suspended mobile internet service over the entire district with immediate effect till further orders.

In an order, home commissioner Abhijit Sinha also cautioned that any violation of the order would be punishable under Section 188 CrPC, and also under

GUWAHATI, FEB 28

(PTI): Asserting there will not be hung assembly in either Tripura, Nagaland or Meghalaya, as predicted in some exit polls, Assam chief minister Himanta

Biswa Sarma Tuesday said the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form governments with absolute majority in all the three North Eastern states.

Sarma, the NEDA convenor, said no NDA (National Democratic Alliance) partner will go into any alliance with either Congress or the Trinamool Congress after the results are declared the relevant sections of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

Curfew in Longleng town: On the other hand, following reports that there was a likelihood of breach of peace, disturbance to public tranquillity and grave danger to human lives and properties due to unlawful activities by some organisations, DC Longleng Dharam

Raj has ordered imposition of curfew in Longleng town, prohibiting any movement of persons outside their respective residence, with effect from 12 noon of February 28 till 7 p.m. of March 1. DC however stated that the curfew would not apply to government agencies involved in enforcement of law and order and other essential services. In case of any emergency and for persons wanting to take part in funerals, etc, application could be made to the DC or superintendent of police for permission. Their movement would however be restricted until a written permission was obtained by them. According to reports, supporters of two rival candidates were involved in stone pelting, during which some houses and vehicles were also damaged. There were also reports of blank firing. In a late night report, clash between supporters of a candidate and security forces was reported in Noklak. Security forces resorted to blank firing and fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Repolling in 4 polling stations today

Election Commission of India (ECI) on Tuesday ordered repolling at four polling stations in four districts-Zunheboto, Wokha, Mon and Noklak districts on March 1. The repoll will be held from 7 a.m. to 4 pm.

In a letter to Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland, ECI under secretary S Singh said that the repoll was ordered on the basis of reports submitted by general observers and after taking all material circumstances into account.

(NPN): Congress has urged upon the Election Commission of India to initiate action against those involved in the brutal attack on Congress candidate Toshipokba under 26-Aonglenden assembly constituency and holding of re-poll at polling station no. 2. This was contained in a memorandum addressed to chief election commissioner (CEC) by All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge for Nagaland Dr Ajoy Kumar. In the memorandum, Dr Kumar alleged that a mob of nearly 50 men broke into the house of Toshipokba on February 27 night to attack and grievously injure him and his family members. Dr.Ajoy said the unidentified attackers inflicted serious injury on Toshipokba’s family members including his sister and also vandalised his residence and vehicles.

Dr. Kumar also attached copies of the pictures taken after the attack on the residence and family of the

Congress candidate. He alleged that the dastardly attack on Toshipokba was in retaliation to Congress’ previous memorandum (no. 0001A/Nagaland/INC dt. 27.02.2023) and as a clear attempt to circumvent the democratic principle of free and fair elections by threatening the person to withdraw his candidature from the election. He stated that Toshipokba had filed a complaint with Mokokchung Police Station office in-charge in this regard and a copy was also attached with the memorandum to the CEC. on Thursday.

Further, the AICC leader alleged irregular voting (proxy voting) in 26-Aolengden A/C on the polling day, as reported by news agencies.

He also referred to news articles, with copies attached, which reported first hand testimonies of several individuals who had admitted to proxy voting but who were unaware that this was a punishable offence under Indian Penal Code, 1860.

“There will be no hung assembly. The NDA will form governments in all the three states,” he said at a press conference here. Several exit polls have predicted hung assemblies in Tripura and Meghalaya although the NDA will be the largest block. Only in Nagaland, psephology surveys have predicted the return of the NDA to power with an absolute majority. When asked about candidates for the chief minister’s post in the three states, Sarma said there will be a status quo in Tripura and Nagaland. “Tripura will have a BJP CM, while we are in a coalition government in Nagaland,” said the convenor of the North East Democratic Alliance

Counting of votes on March 2

DIMAPUR, FEB 28 (NPN): In connection of the 14th Nagaland legislative Assembly, General Election 202, the Chief electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland has informed that the counting on votes on March 2 will be held in all the 16 districts from 8 a.m. onwards.

According to CEO media cell, the counting centers in the districts are-- Peren and Pughoboto in ADC office, Zunheboto in Town hall/ Badminton Hall, Wokha in Tiyi Hall, Tuensang in CKS /SIRD Hall while in the rest of the 11 districts, counting will be held in their respective Deputy Commissioner’s office.

On the day of counting, strong room will be opened and polled EVMs will be brought to the counting room in the presence of candidates, RO and Observer under videography and CCTV coverage under security.

Media persons with authority letter issued from the Election Com- mission of India may be allowed access into the counting centers (for entry/re-entry into counting centres). Terms and conditions for the use of authority letter must be adhered to by any assigned officials including media persons during counting of votes.

It was informed that in addition to the already deployed General Observers, the Commission will be deploying officers as Counting Observers to oversee the counting center arrangement as well as to monitor all activities relating to the counting of votes. Besides, the CEO office has also made arrangements to deploy counting personnel including supervisors, assistants, micro observers and tabulators.

The votes will be counted in different allotted numbers of tables according to assembly constituency wise in segments. The counting venue will be held in different locations with tight security, the media cell stated.

(NEDA), the regional wing of NDA.

In Meghalaya, the chief minister will be decided after considering the number of states won by the BJP, he added.

“However, there will be no alliance with the TMC and Congress in any state,” Sarma asserted.

Currently, Tripura has a BJP chief minister, while the governments in Nagaland and Meghalaya are led by the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the National People’s Party (NPP) respectively.

HSLC & HSSLC exam schedule announced

DIMAPUR, FEB 28 (NPN): Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) has announced the schedule for the HSLC and HSSLC examination 2023. HSLC exam will commence from March 10 till March 22 while HSSLC exam will be held from March 9 till March 31. According to NBSE, 24361 candidates will be appearing the HSLC exam from 96 provisional examination centres. Out of 24360 candidates, 11197 are boys and 13164 are girls. The timing of HSLC exam will be from 9 a.m. to 12 noon for 80/70 marks and 2 hours for 50 marks.

For HSSLC, a total of 16084 candidates have been enrolled to appear for the exam (Arts-12431, Commerce-1214 and Science- 2439) from 65 provisional examination centres. Out of 16085 candidates, 7612 are boys and 8473 are girls. Meanwhile, Class XI promotion exam will be held simultaneously with HSSLC in the afternoon from March 9 to March 31 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.