Voters wait in line at a polling station in Chungtia village to exercise their franchise during the bye-election to 28 Koridang (ST) Assembly Constituency on April 9. (Morung Photo)
Polling day passes peacefully amid tight security
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | April 9
The bye-election to the 28 Koridang (ST) Assembly Constituency concluded on Thursday with an overall voter turnout of 82.21%, with polling conducted across 30 polling stations under what officials described as “one of the highest deployments” of security forces for a single constituency.
Polling day was reported as “peaceful,” with no incidents of violence recorded, despite pre-poll unrest in the constituency, including incidents that claimed one life and caused damage to property.
According to official data, a total of 18045 votes were cast through EVMs, along with 253 postal ballots and 18 votes under the PwD category, taking the total votes polled to 18316. The constituency has an electorate of over 22000 voters.
Mangmetong records 99.08%; Alichen records 15.30%
Turnout varied across polling stations. The highest percentage of polling was recorded at Mangmetong Polling Station-II with 99.08%, while the lowest was at Alichen Polling Station-II at 15.30%.
Observations across polling stations indicated uneven voter participation, with several areas recording high turnout and significantly lower participation in Alichen.
Officials stated that enhanced security measures were implemented in Alichen due to its history of election-related violence. The Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Ajit Kumar Verma, IAS, and Superintendent of Police Vesupra Kezo said the deployment was “requirement-based” and guided by inputs from sector magistrates and commanders.
They attributed the low turnout in Alichen to strict enforcement of identity verification and security measures, stating that only genuine voters were allowed to vote and no legitimate voter was denied entry.
Eight women detained, EVMs technical glitches
During polling, police detained eight women in Alichen for allegedly carrying a large number of voter slips outside polling stations. Authorities also turned away individuals arriving in multiple vehicles on suspicion of being proxy voters. Officials did not confirm their identities.
Isolated allegations of “outside voters” also surfaced at Alichen polling stations II and IV.
Minor technical glitches involving Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were reported at Chungtia and Yimyu polling stations, briefly interrupting the process. Polling resumed after replacement of faulty machines. Voting was also delayed in three polling stations in Chungtia village.
Officials reported no incidents of tension or disturbance at polling booths during the day. The DC and SP who toured the constituency, confirmed the smooth conduct of polling.
Describing the election as “tough,” the DC said the constituency has a history of violence and that preventive measures were taken to avoid repetition of such incidents. The SP termed the process a “challenge,” stating that the entire government machinery was involved in monitoring the election.
Officials said measures such as deployment of forces, arms deposit, and imposition of night curfew were implemented as preventive steps to contain violence. They maintained that these actions were not intended to harass voters but to ensure law and order.
Responding to allegations that security forces sided with a particular political party, officials denied the claims, stating that equal opportunity was given to all voters and that those without valid identification were not allowed to vote.
SIT Formed to probe Longkhum poll violence
On pre-poll violence, police stated that four individuals have been identified in connection with incidents in Mangmetong, where properties belonging to supporters of an Independent candidate were damaged.
In the Longkhum incident that resulted in one death, two additional arrests were made on polling day, taking the total number of arrests to 18. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the case.
At the conclusion of polling, officials thanked election personnel, security forces, civil society organisations, church leaders, and village councils for their cooperation in maintaining law and order.
EVMs secured in strong rooms: CEO Nagaland:
The Chief Electoral Officer, Nagaland, Bhagyashree Banayat, IAS has informed that after completion of polling, the polled Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were securely stored in designated strong rooms, stated a press release.
The storage process was carried out in the presence of contesting candidates/their representatives as well as Central Observer(s) appointed by the Election Commission of India under videography, as per storage and security protocols prescribed by the Election Commission of India viz two-tier Armed Security (minimum one platoon of Armed Security Force) of the strong room, 24x7 CCTV coverage etc. Reserve EVMs and VVPATs have also been stored in Reserve Strong Room, as per storage and security protocols prescribed by the Commission.
All contesting candidates have been informed in writing to depute their representatives to observe the security arrangements of the strong rooms. They have also been permitted to remain outside the inner security perimeter to monitor the arrangements, while CCTV displays of the strong rooms have been made available for their viewing.
The strong rooms will be opened on the day of counting in the presence of the contesting candidates/their representatives and the Central Observer(s) appointed by the Election Commission of India under videography, it added.
