Kohima: Nagaland Election Department has decided to strictly enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) which came into force in the state from January 11, the date of announcement of schedule for elections to the state Assembly by the ECI.
Addressing a press conference on Monday evening, Chief Electoral Officer J Alam said he held a meeting with all political parties of the state to review and discuss the MCC which has come into force with the announcement of the state elections on February 23.
He informed that all relevant instructions with regard to expenditure and mechanisms, including the latest instructions on carrying of cash, were communicated to the political parties the copies of MCC issued by the ECI were handed over to them.
He also informed that sealing expenditure of a candidate is Rs 8 lakh, anybody found carrying Rs 50,000 or above in cash during the election period was liable for explanation irrespective of carrying it for political, business or personal purposes.
If any cash exceeding Rs 50,000 is found in a vehicle carrying the candidate or his agent or party worker, as well as political posters, liquor, guns, and other materials which are likely to be used for political campaigns valuing more than Rs. 10,000 would be subjected to seizure.
Mr Alam said expenditure monitoring will be strictly carried out in the forthcoming Assembly election.
In this regard, he informed that flying squads would be deployed in all the districts comprising a magistrate, police officer and video-photographer. In the event of the above mentioned kind of cash being recovered, the flying squad would be called immediately and an FIR registered.
There will also be monitoring cells in the district headquarters, while every district will have an expenditure observer, besides the micro observers.
Moreover, District Level Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) headed by the Returning Officer or District Election Officer, DPRO concerned and other members will be set up for the purpose of monitoring certification of advertisements and to examine complaints of paid news.
He added that a total of 180 companies of paramilitary forces will be deployed in the state for the election. The existing state security force has a good strength of 2 battalions of CRPF, 26000 Nagaland Police, 9000 Village Guards, and more than 2000 Home Guards.
Besides, 11 Battalion of Assam Rifles will be looking after the Environmental Security. The CEO also informed that the Election Department has decided to engage the teachers in the election duty, besides the Government officials. (UNI)