GUWAHATI: Despite
Covid-19 restrictions, Nagaland recorded over 88%
polling in the bypolls to its two assembly seats on Tuesday.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) stated that while the Southern Angami-1 seat in Kohima district recorded over 84% polling, over 89% of
voters cast their ballots in Pungro Kiphire constituency in Kiphire district.
Nagaland chief electoral officer Abhijit Sinha told the media that adequate number of security forces were deployed and
Covid-19 safety measures were in place for smooth conduct of the bypolls in 22 polling stations of Southern Angami-1 and 23 booths in Pungro Kiphire.
“Measures such as thermal screening, providing masks, sanitisers and hand gloves to voters and demarcating polling areas to ensure social distancing were undertaken,” he said.
There are three candidates in fray in Southern Angami-I constituency and five in Pungro-Kiphire. In Southern Angami-I, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) has fielded youth leader Medo Yhokha against opposition Naga People’s Front’s (NPF) Kikovi Kirha. The third candidate, Seyievilie Peter Zashumo, is an Independent. Zashumo was the personal assistant of former assembly speaker late Vikho-o Yhoshu, whose death in December, 2019 necessitated the bypoll in this seat.
In Pungro Kiphire, NDPP’s ally, BJP, fielded its candidate Lirimong Sangtam, who is pitted against Congress’s Khaseo Anar.