The office of Mizoram chief electoral officer on Friday served a showcause notice to the People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (Prism), seeking clarification on its poll plank to introduce a right to secede bill in Parliament, within 24 hours.

In a letter to party president Vanlalruata, Mizoram’s additional chief electoral officer Krishna Mohan Uppu cited some media reports which said Prism will use introduction of the Right to Secession Bill as its poll plank.

“The said matter pertains to your party and the issues raised involved questions on the unity and integrity of the country,” the letter issued by Uppu said.

In its notice, the CEO office also enclosed the news report of a Bangalore-based Deccan Herald published on Friday under a headline, “Mizoram’s Sailor (Prism’s candidate) to contest on state’s secession as poll plank”, and clipping of some local newspapers which showed the party wishing to secede from India.

“In the light of the above, you are hereby directed to clarify the position of your party on the said matter,” the letter said.

Prism had earlier stated that it would move a right to secede bill in Parliament, if the party was elected to the Lok Sabha.

Prism nominee T.B.C. Lalvenchhunga said he would table a private member bill in Parliament seeking right to secede, not from the country but from the purview of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill.

Vanlalruata said the move was to oppose the citizenship bill.

The party was firm on using the right to secession bill as its poll agenda, he added.