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Medo Yhokha of NDPP wins 14-Southern Angami-I seat; Independent candidate Yangseo Sangtam claims 60-Pungro-Kiphire
EM Bureau
Dimapur/Kohima Nov. 10 (EMN): Numerical equation in the present Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) went through a minor but potentially significant alteration as results of the bye-election to fill up two vacant NLA seats were declared on Tuesday.
The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) managed to consolidate its position at the top by retaining the 14-Southern Angami-I seat, where its candidate Medo Yhokha emerged victor in a closely fought contest.
For the chief opposition party, Naga People’s Front (NPF), the bye-poll turned out to be a setback as it relinquished its grip on 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency, which has remained a regional bastion for long. The party did not field any candidate there, choosing to fight only in 14-Southern Angami-I.
The NPF chose not to seek replacement for T Torechu, its representative from 60-Pungro-Kiphire until his demise, where the Independent candidate T Yangseo Sangtam brushed off competition from four other candidates, including national heavyweights Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC), to claim the seat on Tuesday.
It was also an opportunity lost for the BJP to increase its number of legislators even though the party’s inability to capture the 60-Pungro-Kiphire seat made no difference to the overall standing of the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), of which the BJP and the NDPP are main constituents.
After Tuesday’s results, the numerical equation in NLA currently reads: NDPP–20, BJP–12, NPF-25 (reduced from 26), and two Independents. One of the seats is currently lying vacant following the death of former minister CM Chang on October 12.
Narrow margin
PDA consensus candidate Medo Yhokha of NDPP clinched the 14-Southern Angami-I seat by relatively slim margin of 598 votes. Yhokha, who hails from Kigwema village, secured 4773 out of the 11,523 total valid votes, which was enough to trump his closest rival, Independent candidate Seyievilie Peter Zashumo who had 4175 votes.
The other contestant, Kikovi Kirha of NPF had 2575 votes to his name. There were 88 NOTA (none of the above) votes. The total votes are inclusive of postal ballots.
In postal ballot, out of 131 total votes, NDPP garnered 52, 69 went to the Independent candidate and 10 to NPF. Meanwhile, 38 votes were rejected.
Speaking with media persons after he was declared winner, Yhokha admitted that it was a stiff fight.
He said that he will be working his “utmost best” and “fulfil” his commitment given at the grassroots level.
He said that he will prove himself that he is “worthy and viable”. There is a “huge responsibility” ahead, Yhokha added.
Kirha of NPF, who was also present during the early hours of the counting, said that he would be happy regardless of whoever gets elected as his “two brothers” (Yhokha and Zashümo) were contesting ‘to bring peace and development to the constituency’.
Clash of Independents
The battle for 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency was, in effect, a contest among three Independent candidates from which T Yangseo Sangtam emerged triumphant by a formidable margin of 1527 votes.
Sangtam secured 8747 out of 27,366 total valid votes to defeat four other candidates in the bye-election. His nearest rival S Kiusumew Yimchunger, also an Independent, got 7220 votes.
They were followed by Lirimong Sangtam of BJP who secured 5664 votes, K Shellumthong Yimchunger (Independent) with 5388 votes, and Khaseo Anar of INC, with 347 votes to his name.
Ninety-four persons opted for NOTA. Out of the total 27,366 votes, the three Independent candidates accounted for a whopping 21,355.
The INC candidate, Anar, had to forfeit deposit after he failed to secure one-sixth of the total valid votes.
Later in the evening, while addressing a press conference in Kohima, the state’s chief electoral officer, Abhijit Sinha, said that certificates have already been distributed to the winning candidates of both constituencies.
Initially, postal ballot was counted in both the constituencies. It was followed by EVMs and others.
Counting of votes was done at the respective district deputy commissioner’s complex.
In Kohima, a total of six tables were placed for counting of votes at one counting hall. There were five counting rounds.
In Kiphire, 11 tables in two counting halls were used, he said. There were 77 polling stations in Kiphire, therefore, 11 rounds of counting took place, he added.
It may be mentioned that the bye-poll was necessitated due to the deaths of legislators Vikho-o Yhoshü (NDPP) and T Torechu (NPF).