An elderly woman seen after casting her franchise during the Wokha Town Council bye- election held on June 16. (DIPR Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 16
Nagaland recorded voter turnouts ranging from 69.5% to 96.41% in the bye-elections to three town council wards held on June 16, with the Wokha seat witnessing alleged assault on a candidate and stone-pelting incidents.
The bye-polls were held for Ward 11 (Chaara) of Chümoukedima Town Council, Ward 8 (Tsumang 'B') of Wokha Town Council, and Ward 9 (Samba Ghoki) of Atoizu Town Council.
Atoizu Town Council Ward 9 registered the highest turnout at 96.41%, with male voter participation at 50.77% and females at 45.64%. Chümoukedima Town Council Ward 11 recorded 83.6% turnout, with 39.88% male and 43.72% female voters. Wokha Town Council Ward 8 saw 69.5% polling, with 31.98% male and 37.52% female voters.
The election at Chümoukedima was contested between Kezhangutuo Zhotso of BJP and Neichiiu Kuotsu of NPF. At Wokha, the contest was between Mhomo Humtsoe of BJP and Ar. Aling Lotha of NPF, while at Atoizu, the fight was between G Shikavi Kiba of NPF and Independent candidate Inaka Z Chishi.
Polling was conducted peacefully in Chümoukedima and Atoizu. However, Wokha witnessed tense moments after BJP candidate Mhomo Humtsoe alleged that he and two party observers were assaulted by rival NPF supporters in the early hours before polling began.
Following the developments, the Wokha District Administration enforced prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, barring assembly of five or more persons and carrying of arms and weapons.
State Election Commissioner T John Longkumer, IPS (Retd), said, “Polling was conducted peacefully and successfully in all stations.” Counting of votes and declaration of results is scheduled for June 19 at designated counting centres.
Atoizu Town Council: The bye-election to Ward-9 (Samba Ghoki) of the Atoizu Town Council under Zunheboto district recorded a voter turnout of 96.41%. A total of 188 votes were cast out of 195 electors, with voters turning out in large numbers to exercise their franchise, RO and EAC, Atoizu, Dr Samuel Akho Konyak informed media after the poll.
“Polling was conducted peacefully and witnessed enthusiastic participation from voters. No major disruptions were recorded during the voting process,” Dr Konyak said.
The vacant seat was contested by NPF candidate G Shikavi Kiba and Independent candidate Inaka Z Chishi.
“Ward No. 9 of Atoizu Town Council recorded an impressive voter turnout of 96.41% on polling day. Voters turned out in large numbers to elect their representative,” the RO added.
Chümoukedima Town Council: Polling for the bye-election to Chümoukedima Town Council Ward-11 without incident on June 16 with a turnout of 83.6% recorded at the close of polling. As per a DIPR release, RO and ADC, Chümoukedima, T Lemlila Sangtam expressed appreciation to the political parties, voters and all officials, including security forces, involved in ensuring the successful conduct of the bye-election. She stated that the democratic principle of “one person, one vote” was strictly upheld throughout the polling process, from the commencement of voting until its conclusion.
The Ward-11 seat fell vacant following the demise of former Councillor Keneisetuo Doze.
The polling process in the ward with a total electorate of 677 was marked by a slow-moving queue. The slow pace was attributed to stringent scrutiny of voter credentials.
Zhaleo Rio says NDPP and BJP having friendly contests
There is no need to make a fuss over the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contesting against each other in the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, according to NDPP MLA Zhaleo Rio.
“For the General Assembly elections, we have seat sharing… But you must have also seen that the BJP leaders are very happy to have a friendly contest. We have also welcomed this, as it is a part of democracy. So there is really no need to make a fuss about this,” commented the MLA and Advisor for Urban Development and Municipal Affairs.
Rio made the comment during a visit to the polling venue of the bye-election to the Chümoukedima Town Council (CTC) Ward 11, on June 16.
The CTC falls under the 4 Ghaspani-I Assembly seat, a constituency held by the BJP for two consecutive terms. While the assembly seat is held by the BJP, he said that the NDPP secured an absolute majority in the 2024 town council elections. “That goes without saying that here we are the supreme,” Rio said.
When asked if the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) partners would contest the 2028 state assembly elections separately, Rio declined to comment directly. “We have our leaders, so we reserve our comment on that,” he said.
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