Nagaland bye-elections: Campaigning comes to close

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 1 (EMN): The bye-polls to the 14-Southern Angami-I and 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituencies are all set to be conducted on November 3 with eight candidates in the fray. Campaigning came to an end on Sunday, as per the directives of the election authorities.

This year’s bye-elections will be different from the rest of the elections that have taken place in the state so far because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Even during the campaigning period, only a limited number of attendants were allowed at the rallies.

While the election campaigning came to a close at 3.59 pm on November 1, there were reports of seizure of liquors, drugs, cash, among others.

The chief electoral officer (CEO) of Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, on Sunday evening updated about the seizures made by flying squad team/static surveillance team/Excise/other agencies in both the assembly constituencies till date.

Cash amounting to INR 6 lakh, liquor worth INR 6.64 lakh, and cough syrup worth INR 78,000 have been seized so far, he informed.

According to him, the total value of all seizures made so far is around INR 13.42 lakh. The cash was seized at 60-Pungro Kiphire A/C, he informed.

So far, at least 425 persons have been “bound down” under prohibitive sections of CrPC across the two assembly constituencies, it was informed.

N Moa Aier, additional CEO, informed that 12 polling parties have been dispatched on Sunday for 60-Pungro-Kiphire A/C two days ahead of the poll. He added that 87 polling parties will set out for both the 60-Pungro-Kiphire and 14-Southern Angami-1 assembly constituencies on November 2.

Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Medo Yhokha, Kikovi Kirha of opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) and Seyievilie Peter Zashümo as Independent candidate will battle it out for the 14-Southern Angami-I A/C seat. Khaseo Anar representing Indian National Congress (INC), Lirimong Sangtam of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and three Independent candidates —S Kiusumew Yimchunger, K Shellumthong Yimchunger and T Yangseo Sangtam— are in the fray for the seat of 60-Pungro-Kiphire A/C.

The ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) is fighting the bye-elections by splitting the seats between partners NDPP and BJP. NDPP will be contesting for the 14-Southern Angami-I constituency while BJP will seek the 60-Pungro-Kiphire constituency.

There are about 13,641 voters under the 14-Southern Angami-I constituency while the total number of the electorates at 60-Pungro-Kiphire stands at 29,601.

The bye-elections in the state have been necessitated to fill the two seats left vacant after the demise of the two legislators: then Speaker and NDPP representative Vikho-o Yhoshü (14-Southern Angami-I) and NPF representative T Torechu (60-Pungro-Kiphire). 

Elaborate arrangements have been made to facilitate the smooth and safe conduct of the bye-elections in Nagaland amidst the pandemic.

Earlier, the CEO had informed that protective kits like face masks, hand gloves and hand sanitisers are being kept in abundance for preventive measures against the Covid-19 infection.

SOP and social distancing norms will also be strictly implemented on the polling day.

Every voter will undergo thermal screening at the polling stations, while those detected with symptoms of Covid-19 or symptoms of other infectious diseases will be allowed to exercise their franchise only in the last hour before the polls ends.

Ninety-nine polling stations— 22 for 14-Southern Angami-I A/C and 77 for 60-Pungro-Kiphire A/C — have been set up. Around 500 polling officials will be assigned to the polling booths.

This year, each booth officer has been directed to ensure the implementation of preventive measures outside the polling stations. For this reason, the Election Commission has directed the polls to begin from 6 am and go on till 4 pm, instead of the regular 7 am to 4 pm slot.