The Nagaland Congress party has announced plans to file a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) following the emergence of a video allegedly showing Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton promoting electoral malpractices during a campaign event on 5 April, 2024.
In the 31-second video, reportedly recorded during a campaign event in support of the People’s Democratic Alliance’s consensus candidate for Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha seat, Patton can be heard speaking in Nagamese, instructing village leaders to cast votes on behalf of their communities. He allegedly stated,
If possible, the chairman, village heads, and those in charge of voting to go ahead and vote. Don’t bother the other people in the village; let them go work in the fields. The leaders of the village can take care of it all.
The Nagaland Congress has expressed shock and dismay at the Deputy Chief Minister’s alleged actions, calling it a “blatant violation of the Model Code of Conduct.” The party maintains that every vote is sacred and has vowed to challenge the promotion of such electoral malpractices by filing a formal complaint with the ECI.
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The controversial video also shows several other prominent political figures sharing the stage with Patton during the campaign event in Wokha, his home turf. Among those present were Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, NDPP President N Chingwang Konyak, candidate Dr Chumben Murry, and other legislators.
The incident has raised questions about the integrity of the electoral process in Nagaland and has led to calls for a thorough investigation into the matter. The Nagaland Congress believes that such actions, especially when carried out by a high-ranking official like the Deputy Chief Minister, can undermine the democratic process and erode public trust in the electoral system.
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As the state prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Nagaland Congress’s decision to file a complaint with the ECI is expected to put pressure on the ruling party and ensure that the elections are conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The ECI will now be tasked with investigating the allegations and taking appropriate action against those found guilty of violating the Model Code of Conduct.
The incident has once again highlighted the need for stricter monitoring of campaign activities and the importance of holding political leaders accountable for their actions.
