Kohima : In preparation for the Municipal/Town Council Polls of 2024, the Government of Nagaland has issued clear directives regarding the admission of individuals to polling stations. This move aims to ensure a smooth, secure, and orderly voting process, in accordance with Rule 48 of the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023.

The Presiding Officer is instructed to allow only specific persons into the polling station: Polling Officials: Those directly involved in the polling process.

Public Servants on Election Duty: Includes Election Observers, Deputy Commissioners, Sector Magistrates/Officers, and other officials as designated. Authorized Persons: Individuals with authority letters or entry passes from the Election Commission.

Candidates and Agents: Each candidate, their election agent, and polling agent may be admitted one at a time. Assisting Persons: This includes a child accompanying an elector, a person assisting a blind or infirm elector, and others as needed under specific rules.

Under Rule 46 (2), if a female presence is necessary for assisting women electors or conducting searches, the Presiding Officer may designate a female polling official or a consenting woman from the voters present.

However, the directive explicitly states that “Public Servants on Duty” does not include Ministers, MPs, State Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Advisors, or MLAs, as their presence necessitates security personnel, who are not allowed inside the polling station. Similarly, police officers are generally not permitted unless specifically called by the Presiding Officer for law and order purposes.

Returning Officers are required to issue identity cards to contesting candidates with their photographs. Presiding Officers may request these IDs for verification, and polling agents must produce attested copies of their appointment letters.