Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland V. Shashank Shekhar informed a total 183 candidates out of 225 who filed nominations will be contesting in the February 27 assembly polls including four women candidates, while BJP candidate from Akuluto constituency Kazheto Kinimi was declared elected unopposed.
Addressing the media here on Friday evening, he said that out of 225 nominations, 25 were found invalid, while 16 candidates withdrew their candidatures till Friday evening. The 16 candidates who withdrew from the race included– P. Engo Konyak (RPI-A) 47 Aboi, H.B. Moba LJP (RV) 55-Tobu; Kelhouneizo Yhome IND 10-Northern Angami-1; L. Shiakpong Konyak IND 55-Tobu; Y. Belong Chingmei IND 50-Longleng; R. Kilimong Yimchunger IND 60-Pungro-Kiphire; Kishan Lal Gupta IND 1-Dimapur-I; Supu Jamir IND 2-DImapur-II; Er. L. Tongpang Longkumer IND 24-Angetyongpang; N. Khekashe Sumi INC 31-Akuluto; Y.M. Yollow Konyak LJP (RV) 42-Wakching; Thongwang Konyak JD(U) 46-Mon Town; Kyupise Sangtam IND 59-Seyochung Sitimi; P. Mulang INC 56-Noklak; Kenyuseng Tep IND 12-Tseminyu and Gwalozu Kath IND 12-Tseminyu.
He further informed that the assembly constituencies with highest number of candidates— six each, were in 6 Tenning AC, 39 Sanis AC and 45 Tehok.
Out of 13,16,064 eligible voters, 7982 were service voters while 4 Ghaspani-I has highest number of voters (74,395) and Mokokchung Town the lowest (8,302).
CEO said 12 political parties were in the fray with NDPP fielding 40 candidates, BJP-20, INC-23, NPF -22, NCP-12, NPP-12, LJP(RV) 15, RPI (A) 9, JDU-7, RJD-3 CPI and RPP one each and 19 Independent candidates.
Central and State government agencies had made seizures worth Rs 35.60 crore till February 9 from different places.
The CEO said most cash was recovered at the border with Manipur, though he refused to reveal political affiliations of the individuals from whom the cash was recovered.
4 poll-related violence: Shekhar said four poll-related violence were reported so far. While arrests had been made at Khar and an inquiry was on after reports of violence were received from the village, he confirmed that another clash was reported on February 6 and investigation was initiated.
The CEO mentioned that there was another report from Tobu sub-division that supporters of rival candidates had blocked each other’s road, whose details were still awaited.
The fourth incident was reported from Wokha where one farmhouse was burnt down by unknown miscreants on Friday. Shekhar said one police officer had been deputed to monitor the situation and the security forces sent to the area.
Asked whether any additional special security arrangement was made for Mokokchung and Wokha considering the clashes between supporters of rival political parties in the past, he replied that 75 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) battalions had already been deployed across the State and more security forces were expected to arrive on February 16 after the Tripura Assembly polls.
Shekhar stated that all electioneering machineries were put in place for smooth conduct of the election and that Election Commission of India (ECI) was closely monitoring the situation in the State.
Kazheto grateful: Expressing gratitude to the people of 31 A/C Akuluto for their unflinching support, Kazheto Kinimi said that such achievements would not have been not possible overnight, but due to the tireless effort of the BJP Karyakartas at the State and the Mandal.
Giving credit to the party workers, the 68-year old Kinimi also thanked the national and state level BJP leadership for reposing their faith in his abilities and for their valuable guidance.
While stating that the last tenure had seen tremendous growth and progress in his constituency, Kinimi further assured to continue to work with renewed vigor and give his best to uplift the people.
He also said that he would continue to campaign for the victory of the NDPP-BJP alliance and exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power again with absolute majority.
“My victory is just a glimpse of the mood of the people in Nagaland towards the NDPP-BJP alliance,” he said and wished all the candidates of the alliance.
BJP’s Kazheto elected unopposed
In a major boost to the BJP ahead of the polls, party candidate Kazheto Kinimi was re-elected unopposed from Akuluto assembly constituency after his lone opponent N Khekashe Sumi of the Congress withdrew his candidature on Friday, the last date of withdrawal before the February 27 assembly polls.
This was informed by Chief Electoral Officer Nagaland V. Shashank Shekhar at the press conference held on Friday evening.
It may be mentioned that Kazheto won the 2018 election from Akuluto constituency, as BJP candidate, by a 735 margin against NPF’s Khekaho Assumi.
Kazheto grateful: Expressing gratitude to the people of 31 A/C Akuluto for their unflinching support, Kazheto Kinimi said that such achievements would not have been not possible overnight, but due to the tireless effort of the BJP Karyakartas at the State and the Mandal.
Giving credit to the party workers, the 68-year old Kinimi also thanked the national and state level BJP leadership for reposing their faith in his abilities and for their valuable guidance.
While stating that the last tenure had seen tremendous growth and progress in his constituency, Kinimi further assured to continue to work with renewed vigor and give his best to uplift the people.
He also said that he would continue to campaign for the victory of the NDPP-BJP alliance and exuded confidence that the alliance would return to power again with absolute majority.
“My victory is just a glimpse of the mood of the people in Nagaland towards the NDPP-BJP alliance,” he said and wished all the candidates of the alliance.
Nadda to release manifesto next week
IANS adds: BJP national president J.P. Nadda will release election manifestos for poll-bound Meghalaya and Nagaland next week. According to a party source, “The BJP President is supposed to travel to the two poll-bound states next week. He will release the poll manifestos for both the states on two different days next week.”
While he will launch the ‘Sankalp Patra’ for Nagaland on February 14, the manifesto for Meghalaya will be released on February 15, the source added.
“The manifestos will focus on the youths of the two states along with development of infrastructure and tourism. Security and women’s safety will also be key focus areas in both the states,” the source said.