Nagaland: All set for six-way faceoff in Koridang by-election

MOKOKCHUNG — The 28-Koridang Assembly by-election is officially set for a six-way contest after the lone stand-by candidate withdrew, leaving six candidates in the fray ahead of the April 9 poll.

Wapangmeren, who had filed as a stand-by candidate for Independent aspirant Major (Retd.) Toshikaba, withdrew his candidature, confirming that the battle will be a straight six-cornered fight.

With no further withdrawals from the main contenders, the final line-up comprises BJP’s Daochier I Imchen, Congress candidate T Chalukumba Ao, NPP’s I Abenjang, and Independents Imtiwapang Kichu, Major (Retd.) Toshikaba, and Imchatoba Imchen.

Assistant Returning Officer and Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) Mokokchung, Vitolu, clarified that while stand-by candidates are permitted only for recognised political parties, Wapangmeren’s nomination had been accepted as an Independent as it fulfilled all requirements.

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He added that Wapangmeren formally withdrew from the contest before the deadline at 3 pm on March 25.

To ensure transparency and a free and fair election, the EAC informed that no government employees from Grade IV and above belonging to the constituency have been assigned election duties to ensure neutrality.

Postal ballot facilities have been extended to eight categories of essential service personnel, with over 260 voters already applying. The last date for submission of postal ballots is Friday.

The by-election to the 28-Koridang (ST) Assembly constituency is scheduled for April 9.