The Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland, Vyasan R, IAS, has issued a notice to Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton for his remarks encouraging unethical voting practices which was caught on camera and later uploaded on social media.
The order stated that the said video was confirmed to be “part of the campaign speech made by Shri Yanthungo Patton in favour of the People Democratic Alliance (PDA) consensus candidate, Dr Chumben Murry of National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) during the meeting at LTC Conference Hall, Wokha Town at 1:00 PM on 5 April 2024.”
The order also stated that the video shows Y Patton “inciting village functionaries such as Council Chairman, Gaon Buras and Polling agents to cast multiple votes and hence interfere with the free exercise of electoral right of the villagers.”
“And whereas such interference is violative of Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. And whereas impersonation is an offence under Section 171D of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
Now therefore, you are to show-cause at the earliest why action should not be taken against you”, the CEO stated in the order.
Earlier on Tuesday, during a press conference in Dimapur, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has condemned Patton’s remarks as “corrupt and anti-democratic”. Ramesh said that he understands that the village institutions have very special roles in Naga society but democracy is based on “One Person, One Vote”.
He also told the media persons that Congress would be filing a formal complaint against the Deputy Chief Minister and would seek appointment with the Election Commission of India to take things forward.
