Nagaland CEO issues notice to ENPO for calling shutdown on polling day

KOHIMA: Nagaland chief electoral officer (CEO) has issued a show-cause notice to the president of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) for calling an indefinite shutdown in Eastern Nagaland region on the eve of polling for the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.

Commencing from 6 pm on Thursday (April 18), the ENPO shutdown has caused disruption in the electoral process for the sole Lok Sabha seat from Nagaland.

In response to this development, the Nagaland CEO’s office issued a show-cause notice to the president of ENPO, questioning the rationale behind the shutdown and warning of possible legal action under sub-section (1) of section 171C of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Under sub-section (1) of section 171C of the IPC, any voluntary interference with the free exercise of electoral rights constitutes the offense of undue influence during an election.

The president of ENPO has been asked to respond promptly to the show-cause notice.