Nagaland Congress has said that it will file a Model Code of Conduct violation complaint with the Election Commission of India after a disturbing video of Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton surfaced where he appears to be promoting malpractices on voting day.

The Congress Party said that it is “shocked to see such blatant violation of MCC coming from someone of his stature” and asserted that it believes that “every vote is sacred & will not allow the promotion of such electoral malpractices slide unchallenged.”

In the purported 31 seconds video was taken on 5th April 2024 during the People’s Democratic Alliance’s campaign at Patton’s home turf in Wokha for its consensus candidate for Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha seat.

“If possible, chairman, gaon bura, and voting agents, just cast the votes. Do not trouble the other villagers, send them to the fields. Let the village leaders give all,” the BJP leader was videographed saying in Nagamese amid cheers and laughs.

Also seen in the 31 seconds video sharing the stage with Patton are Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, NDPP President N Chingwang Konyak, candidate Dr Chumben Murry and other Legislators.