Nagaland bye-poll: Singrep re-polling date yet to be announced; awaits ECI’s decision

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 4 (EMN): The scrutiny of polling documents and materials for the bye-elections to the 14-Southern Angami-1 and 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituencies were conducted on Wednesday, a day after the election was held. However, the re-polling at Singrep polling station-11 in Kiphire will be decided only after receiving direction from the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, Nagaland’s chief electoral officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha informed that the scrutiny has been completed and necessary reports sent to the ECI.

After receiving the reports of the scrutiny from the returning officer (RO) of Kiphire, Sinha apprised that they have intimated the ECI regarding the incident that occurred at polling station no.11 in Singrep village under 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency on the polling day, where a mob reportedly disturbed the “peace” that it was “almost impossible” for voting to continue.

The CEO informed that the direction from the ECI is awaited regarding a fresh poll at the particular polling station.

The RO had on Tuesday requested for a re-poll at Singred polling station-11 in Kiphire following the unruly incident.

Except for a complaint in connection with the disturbances created by a mob in Kiphire, the polling for the bye-elections to the two assembly constituencies was peaceful.

The scrutiny of polling documents and materials for 14-Southern Angami-1 A/C was conducted by Ruopfukuotuo Noudi, returning officer and (SDO) (C), Jakhama, in the presence of general observer SK Pradhan, secretary (protocol) Home department of Sikkim at DC conference hall in Kohima, on Wednesday.

The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) candidate Medo Yhokha attended the closed-door scrutiny held at DC office, which lasted less than one hour.

Meanwhile, the scrutiny for 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency was conducted by Nyempo Wallim, ADC and returning officer, in the presence of Dev Raj Dev, from Tamil Nadu at DC conference hall in Kiphire district, at around 11:30 am on November 4.

Sources from Kiphire informed that Khaseo Anar of Indian National Congress (INC), Lirimong Sangtam of Bharatiya Janata Party and three Independent candidates — S Kiusumew Yimchunger, K Shellumthong Yimchunger and T Yangseo Sangtam — attended the meeting at DC office.

“There were no anomalies during the scrutiny and it was informed that re-poll will be held at Singrep village polling station 11. Date for re-poll is still awaited from the higher authority. Scrutiny was done in the presence of the RO, observers, all the five candidates and election agents,” informed an update from DIPR.

It may be mentioned that the voter turnout for the bye-election to the 14-Southern Angami-I A/C was 84.41%, while that of 60-Pungro-Kiphire was 89.80%.