Nagaland election 2023: 183 candidates in fray; 16 withdraw nominations

Kohima, Feb. 10 (EMN): A total of 183 candidates are in fray for 59 seats in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly, the election for which will be held on February 27, said Chief Electoral Officer V Shashank Shekhar on Friday.

The number of seats that will go to polls has been reduced to 59 as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Kazheto Kinimi was declared elected from 31 Akuluto Assembly Constituency after his opponent withdrew his candidature.

As many as 16 candidates had withdrawn their nominations till Friday, the last day of withdrawal, reducing the number of candidates to 184, including one who declared elected unopposed and four women candidates, said the CEO at a press conference in Kohima.

Initially, 225 candidates had filed their nomination papers but 25 of them were rejected, thus reducing the number of valid nominations to 200.

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A total of 12 political parties, namely NDPP- 40 seats, BJP- 20, CPI- 1, INC- 23, NCP- 12, NPP- 12 , NPF- 22, RPP- 1, JD(U)- 7, LJP (RV)- 15, RPI (A)- 9 and RJD- 3 are in the fray for the state Assembly poll. There are also 19 Independent candidates contesting the election.

The assembly constituencies with highest candidates are 6 Tenning AC, 39 Sanis AC, and 45 Tehok AC with six candidates each.

Out of the 13.16 lakh eligible voters in the state, 7982 are service voters, according to the record as on February 7.

Pre-poll violence

The CEO said that reports of violent incidents have been received from the districts of Wokha, Mokokchung and Mon, adding that investigation are on.

Giving update on the February 6 election-related violence in Mokokchung where two people were injured, he said that investigations are going on but no arrest has been made so far.

The office of the CEO has received report of violent incident under Wokha district and investigation is going on, he said, adding that preliminary report was obtained on February 10 but no arrest have been made so far.

For Wokha district in particular, the police department has deployed an officer to oversee election-related violence there.

Another report has been received from Tobu in Mon district about supporters of one party being stopped by members of another party. On this matter, he said, the office is getting more detail.

This is a continuous process during election time, he said adding that Law Enforcement agencies are there to maintain law and order while the CEO office is also taking precautionary measures.

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Shekhar added that 75 CAPF companies have been deployed in advance out of 305 central companies announced for the poll. The remaining companies will be arriving Nagaland after the completion of election in Tripura.

INR 35.60 cr. worth seizures made

The monetary value of the progressive seizure made by various enforcement agencies, both Central and state from the date of announcement of General Election to the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023 till February 9 is INR 35,60,60,600 (aprox. INR 35.60 crore), it was informed.

Details of seized items are: INR 2,71,00,670 in cash; IMFL (57978.16 litres) worth INR 3,72,11,428; drugs/ narcotics worth INR 25,70,72,230; and freebies/other items worth INR 3,46,76,272.

List of candidates who withdrew nomination

1. P Engo Konyak - RPI(Athawale) from 47 Aboi AC
2. HB Moba - LJP(RV) from 55 Tobu AC
3. Kelhouneizo Yhome - IND from 10 Northern Angami-I AC
4. L Shiakpong Konyak - IND from 55-Tobu
5. Y Belong Chingmei - IND from 50 Longleng AC
6. R Kilimong Yimchunger - IND from 60-Pungro-Kiphire AC
7. Kishan Lal Gupta - IND from 1 Dimapur-I AC
8. Supu Jamir - IND from 2 Dimapur-II AC
9. L Tongpang Longkumer - IND from 24 Angetyongpang AC
10. N Khekashe Sumi - INC from 31 Akuluto AC
11. YM Yollow Konyak- LJP(RV) from 42 Wakching AC
12. Thongwang Konyak - JD(U) from 46 Mon Town AC
13. Kyupise Sangtam - IND 59 from Seyochung-Sitimi AC
14. P Mulang - INC from 56 Noklak AC
15. Kenyuseng Tep - IND from 12 Tseminyu AC
16. Gwalozu Kath- IND from 12 Tseminyu AC.

Also read: Nagaland election 2023 result: BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi first to book NLA berth uncontested

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