The ENPO had earlier gave a call to abstain from the last year's Assembly election.Voter turnout in six districts of Nagaland was near-zero on Friday afternoon after the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO), which is advocating for administrative independence and financial autonomy, declared a ‘public emergency’ and urged locals to boycott the election.
The Chief Election Officer in the state has issued a notice to the ENPO, condemning their actions for disrupting the democratic exercise.
In a statement, the top poll official said the group had attempted “to use undue influence… by interfering with the free exercise of those residing in Eastern Nagaland areas to vote in the general election”. The ENPO, the officer said, is therefore “directed to show cause… as to why action under subsection of Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code should not be initiated”.
The relevant subsection says “whoever voluntarily interferes, or attempts to interfere, with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at the election”.
The ENPO has clarified its stance that the primary objective of the public notification was to mitigate potential disturbances in the Eastern Nagaland region, which falls under its jurisdiction. The organization asserted that the declaration of a “public emergency” was a result of careful deliberations with various stakeholders.
This was a “voluntary initiative” by the people, the ENPO said, arguing that action under Section 171C “is not applicable… as no offence related to undue influence at any election is committed…”
“Given that the shutdown was a voluntary initiative by the people, there was no question of coercion or enforcement by the ENPO or any other authority,” the statement said, also adding that it is willing to cooperate with the Election Commission “if there has been any misunderstanding or misinterpretation”.
On March 30, the ENPO held a closed-door meeting with 20 MLAs and various other organizations. During this session, they reiterated their stance to completely abstain from participation in the Lok Sabha election. The Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union, comprising the 20 MLAs, had urged the ENPO to reconsider its decision.
The next day, the ENPO formally communicated its decision of non-participation in the election to the Election Commission of India. The ENPO said that the decision mirrors the sentiments and aspirations of the Eastern Nagaland populace, who have persistently advocated for their rights and aspirations within the democratic framework. The ENPO clarified that their decision does not signify defiance against democracy but rather represents a concerted effort to voice the region’s concerns.
Following the declaration of a ‘public emergency’ on March 8, the ENPO, as the apex body representing seven Naga tribes of the region, along with its affiliated organizations, didn’t allow any poll campaigns.
The ENPO had earlier gave a call to abstain from the last year’s Assembly election. However, this call was retracted following assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Nagaland has one Lok Sabha seat, held by Tokheho Yepthomi of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) since a 2018 bypoll. The NDPP is an ally of the BJP.