The National People’s Party (NPP) has lodged an urgent complaint with the Election Commission of India, alleging that anti-social elements are impersonating security personnel in the run-up to the 28-Koridang (ST) Assembly Constituency bye-election scheduled on April 9, 2026.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, NPP National Secretary Saidul Khan claimed that individuals posing as personnel of the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) have been stationed in areas including Chungtia, Longkhum, and Mangmetong.
The complaint stated that these alleged impersonators are exercising unauthorised control over villagers’ movement, creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and potentially influencing voter participation ahead of polling.
Stating that such impersonation poses a direct and grave threat to the integrity of the electoral process, the party warned that the presence of unverified armed personnel or impersonators in sensitive locations could undermine free and fair elections by enabling voter intimidation and suppression, booth capture or coercive influence, or even disruption of law and order on polling day.
“This situation, if not immediately addressed, will seriously compromise the conduct of free and fair elections, which is the constitutional mandate under Article 324,” it added.
The NPP further argued that such actions violate provisions of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), guidelines of the Election Commission regarding deployment of security forces, and legal provisions related to impersonation of public servants and electoral interference, besides ECI’s failure to protect voters from intimidation.
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In its appeal, the party urged the Election Commission to immediately verify all IRB personnel deployed in the Koridang bye-election area, remove any unauthorised or impersonating individuals posing as security personnel, replace existing IRB deployment with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure neutrality and credibility and deploy Central Observers / Micro-Observers in Chungtia, Longkhum, and
Mangmetong.
It also sought deployment of central observers and micro-observers in the affected areas and strict directions to prevent any intimidation or restriction of voter movement.
A copy of the complaint has also been forwarded to the Director General of Police, Nagaland, requesting immediate verification of personnel and legal action against any impersonators.
Stating that the electoral process in Koridang is at a “critical juncture,” the NPP saoid any delay in addressing this issue may result in irreparable damage to democratic credibility and public trust. It urged the Commission to act swiftly and decisively to safeguard sanctity of the election.
