Imphal, Feb. 23 (MNS NNN ANI): Heavy polling was reported from the two poll-bound states from northeast region, as around 88 percent voters exercised their franchise in Meghalaya, while 83.27 percent in Nagaland at the end of the polling on Saturday.
“The whole procedures went peacefully except few sporadic incidents in both the states, and the people exercised their franchise in large numbers. As per the information till now, 88 percent voting has been recorded in Meghalaya, while in Nagaland it is 83.27 percent. The voting percentage will go high because as people are still in queues waiting for their turn at some places,” said Chief Electoral Officer Alok Shukla .ontrary to earlier apprehension of violent pollings in Nagaland, it was a comparatively peaceful and brisk polling with 83% turn-out in the state.
Elections were held to the 59 assembly constituencies as the Sadar I constituency has been counter-manded following the demise of one of its contenders P Chuba Chang yesterday. Now, it has been fixed that the poll in that constituency will be held on March 23.
The Polling of Tuensang Sadar I Assembly Constituency under Tuensang district, which was ‘Adjourned’ following the death of the Congress candidate P. Chuba Chang Yesterday, has been rescheduled on March 23.
The contest has been more or less the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and the Congress party with straight fights between the two parties in 20 assembly constituencies.
Joint Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland N Moa Aier told some media persons that the 2013 assembly elections were one of the most peaceful and smooth polls in recent time though the percentage of voters turn-out was a bit higher in 2008 with 85%.
Meanwhile, stray incidents were reported in Mokokchung district and in parts of Dimapur. “However, those are not considered serious,” said an official. At Duncan in Dimapur, media persons rushed there as there was a report that imminent show-down was about to take place between the supporters of the NPF and that of the Congress. But when the scribes reached there, things were already calmed by the alert security personnel.
There has been a total number of 11.9 lakh voters in Nagaland of which 6 lakhs are males and 5.9 voters are females.
In all, 187 candidates are in the fray with two women candidates vying for the 60 seats.
The NPF is contesting in all the 60 assembly constituencies while the Congress party will be contesting in 57 constituencies. There are altogether 39 independent candidates while NCP has fielded in 15 constituencies. The BJP will be contesting in 11 seats while JD(U) has fielded in 3 seats. RJD will be contesting only in two seats while (UNDP) will be contesting only in one constituencies.
At Meghalaya the 36-hour bandh call by the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) had little impact as people across Meghalaya defied their bandh call and turned out in large numbers to vote in the 36 assembly constituencies in the eastern part of Meghalaya.
Polling began at 7 am this morning in all the 2,485 polling booths .
At least, six people had used Rule 49-0 under The Conduct of
Elections Rules, 1961 to record the desire not to vote. ‘Six voters in different assembly constituencies have used Rule 49-O since we are not satisfied with the candidates contesting in the elections,’ Civil Society Women’s Organisation Chief Agnes Kharshiing said.
As per the Rules, if a voter, after his electoral roll number has been entered in the register of voters in form 17-A, expresses his desire not to vote, a remark to this effect shall be made in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.
The electoral fortunes of 331 candidates, including 25 women and 122 Independents, would be decided by about 12,30,152, voters, including 6,25,534 females.
The United Democratic Party and the National People’s Party have fielded 50 and 32 candidates across the state respectively. Other smaller parties like the Hill State People’s Democratic Party have fielded 17candidates.
Amongst the national parties, the Nationalist Congress Party is contesting in 21 seats, BJP in 13 and the Samajwadi Party has fielded candidates in 11 constituencies.
Altogether, 9940 polling officials have been deployed in their respective zones to oversee the smooth conduct of polls.
Of the 2,485 polling booths, 842 have been termed hyper-sensitive and 257 as sensitive.
91 companies of paramilitary troopers have been deployed across the state to ensure free and fair polls. Mawlai assembly constituency has the highest voter concentration of with 33,869, including 8,594 female voters, while Dalu constituency has the lowest number of voters 15,979 with 7,940 female voters.
The ruling Congress has fielded 60 candidates in all constituencies is hoping for an absolute majority to provide a stable and transparent government. The United Democratic Party and the National People’s Party have fielded 50 and 32 candidates across the state respectively. Other parties like the Hill State People’s Democratic Partyhave fielded 17candidates.
n one constituencies.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/83-poll-percentage-recorded-at-nagaland/
