Assembly polls: Candidates file nomination papers; launch campaign

Candidates of several political parties and Independent candidates on Monday filed their nomination papers for the ensuing Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections, which is slated to be held on February 27, 2023.
As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) notification, February 7 has been fixed as the last date for filing nominations, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on February 8 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 10. The polls will be conducted from 7 am to 4 pm on February 27, results will be declared on March 2 and election shall be completed on March 4.
Kohima: Thirteen intending candidates from Kohima district filed their nomination papers before their respective returning officers.
Nagaland chief minister, Neiphiu Rio, from NDPP, filed his nomination before the returning officer & ADC Chiephobozou, Kohima 11 Northern Angami II (ST) assembly constituency. Khriehu Liezietsu from NPF filed his nomination from 10-Northern Angami 1 A/C.
Kevipodi Sophie from 14-Southern Angami-1 AC filed his nomination paper as an Independent candidate and Medo Yhokha filed nomination as NDPP candidate while from 15 Southern Angami-II Assembly Constituency, Vipopal Kintso filed his nomination as JDU candidate and Er. Kropol Vitsu, who was accompanied by Union Minister for Ministry of Minority Affairs, John Barala, filed his nomination as BJP candidate.
Four candidates from 9 Kohima Town A/C filed their nomination papers. Er. Meshenlo Kath and his substitute Dr. Ketoulelhou Vizo filed their nomination as INC candidate while Dr. Tseilhoutuo Rhutso filed his nomination as NPP candidate and Dr. Neikiesalie Nicky Kire filed his nomination paper as NDPP candidate.
From 10 Northern Angami-1 A/C, Khriehu Liezietsu filed his nomination as NPF candidate.
From Western Angami 8 A/C, sitting MLA, Keneizhakho Nakhro filed his nomination as an independent candidate and Salhoutuonuo Kruse as NDPP candidate.
Dimapur: Eight candidates and one NDPP standby candidate under Dimapur I, II and III assembly constituencies filed their nomination papers before the returning officers on at DC office Dimapur.
The candidates who filed the nomination papers included H.Tovihoto Ayemi (BJP) from Dimapur I A/C; Moatoshi Longkumer (NDPP) Dimapur II A/C; Supu Jamir (Independent) 2 Dimapur II A/C; S Amento Chishi (INC) 2 Dimapur II A/C; Y Vikheho Awomi LJP ( RV) 2 Dimapur II A/C; Azheto Zhimomi LJP (RV) 3 Dimapur III A/C; K. Lun Tungnung (Independent) 3 Dimapur III A/C; Hekani Jakhalu (NDPP) 3 Dimapur III A/C and Kerenjungla Longkumer as NDPP standby candidate for 2 Dimapur II A/C.
Chumoukedima: Z Kasheto Yeptho, RPI (A) candidate, from 5 Ghaspani II assembly constituency, filed his nomination paper.
Imsumongba Pongen JDU candidate from 4 Ghaspani-l constituency and Akavi N. Zhimomi INC candidate also from 4-Ghaspani-I constituency filed their nomination paper.
Kitoho S Rotokha, LJP candidate from 5 Ghaspani II A/C filed his nomination paper.
Mokokchung: Temjen Imna Along, BJP candidate from 30 Alongtaki A/C, filed his nomination paper at the ADC office Mangkolemba accompanied by Union minister of state Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Er J Lanu Longchar JD(U) candidate from 30 Alongtaki assembly constituency also filed nomination papers. Tongpang Ozukum NDPP candidate from 24 Angetyongpang A/C and Imnatiba NDPP candidate from 22 Arkakong Assembly constituency filed their nomination paper.
Amenba Yaden (NCP) and A. Panjung Jamir (BJP) from 21 Tuli A/C; T. N. Mannen (NDPP) from 23 Impur A/C; Sharingain Longkumer (NDPP) from 26 Aonglenden A/C; Mestubo Jamir (NDPP) from 27 Mokokchung Town A/C also filed their nominations.
Peren: NDPP candidate T.R. Zeliang from 7 Peren A/C, Tarie Zeliang (NDPP) and Zandi Domta (NPP) from 6 Tenning A/C filed their nominations on Monday.
Mon: M. Hoang Jess (NPP) and W. Chingang Konyak from 42 Wakching A/C; Noke Wangnao (NDPP), A . Epha (NPP) and Geihwang Konyak from 43 Tapi A/C; K. Konngam Konyak (BJP) from 22 Phomching A/C; Er. Cheong Konyak (BJP) and Thongwang Konyak JD (U) from 46 Mon Town A/C; Wangka Konyak (RPI) from 47 Aboi A/C; D. Yongnyak Konyak 48 Moka A/C; Naiba Konyak (LJP-RV) and N. Bongkhao Konyak (NDPP) from 55 Tobu A/C also filed their nomination papers.
Wokha: Deputy chief minister Y Patton, BJP candidate from 37 Tuyi A/C and Renponthung Ezung BJP candidate from 38 A/C under Wokha districts filed nomination Monday.
Patton and Ezung were accompanied by minister tribal affairs Arjun Munda and the official spokespersons for BJP Nalin Kholi.
Y Mhonbemo Humtsoe, NCP candidate from 38 Wokha A/C, Yibemo Kikon and RJD candidate from 37 Tyui A/C also filed their nomination papers on Monday.
Zunheboto: KT Sukhalu, NDPP candidate from 35 Zunheboto A/C, G. Kaito Aye (NDPP) and Zheito Chophy (LJP- RV) from 36 Satakha A/C, G. Ikuto Zhimomi (NDPP)34 Aghunato A/C and S. Toiho Yeptho 33 Suruhuto A/C filed their nomination papers on Monday. BJP candidate Kazheto from 31 Akuluto A/C, Er. Kahuli Sema (BJP) and Er. Picto (NCP) from 32 Atoizu A/C also filed their nominations.
Phek: Kudecho Khamo, NDPP candidate from 18 Chozuba A/C filed his paper on Monday.
Longleng: S. Pangnyu Phom, BJP candidate from 50 Longleng A/C , A. Pongshi Phom and Y. B. Angam Phom (stand by) NCP candidate filed their nomination. For 49 Tamlu A/C, B.S. Nganlang Phom, NDPP candidate, H. Nyemli Phom RPI (A) candidate and B. Bangtick Phom Independent candidate filed their nomination.
Tuensang: For 52 Longkhim Chare A/C, Muthingnyuba Sangtam NCP candidate and BJP candidate, Sethrongkyu filed their nomination papers.
Kiphire: INC candidate, Khaseo Anar from 59 Seyochung-Sitimi A/C filed nomination.
Shamator: NDPP candidate S. Keoshu Yimchunger and R. Tohanba (LJP-RV) filed their nomination from 58 Shamator- Chessore A/C.
Pughoboto: LJP (RV) candidate, Dr. Sukhato A Sema from 13 Pughoboto A/C filed nomination paper.
Campaign launched
Candidates of several political parties including Independent launched their election campaigns on Monday.
Imnatiba: NDPP candidate from 22 Arkakong A/C, Imnatiba launched the election campaign on February 4. In his speech, he thanked chief minister Neiphiu Rio, NDPP president Chingwang Konyak, NDPP secretary general Abu Metha and the supporters from his constituency for providing the opportunity and trust on him.
He encouraged the people to come together so that he may receive the opportunity to be part of the ruling government to serve the constituency.
Y. Vikheho Awomi: Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) candidate from 2 Dimapur II A/C, Y. Vikheho Awomi officially declared his candidature on Monday.
Addressing his supporters at his residence at Thahekhu village, Vikheho appealed to the voters to reject range or clan politics but vote for those leaders who were fighting for development and governance. He said Nagaland being a “dependent state” with no resources on its own, people should choose a visionary leader who has the persistence to continue progressing toward achieving a goal or completing the task assigned despite the challenges.
A dedicatory prayer for the candidate was offered by senior pastor, Thahekhu Village Baptist Church senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Yehevi Jimo. Later, accompanied by large supporters, Vikheho also filed his nomination.
Keneizhakho Nakhro: Kicking off election campaign at Para Medical Kohima, sitting MLA from 8 Western Angami Keneizhakho Nakhro described NDPP of not giving him the ticket was for a good reason. He admitted that many of his supporters were disappointed for denying NDPP ticket however the unflinching support was encouraging and enlightened his heart.He said being an independent candidate and supporter of an independent candidate every individual has become a family member and urged the supporters to take responsibility and do their job respectively by reaching out to every citizen of the constituency.
Kevipodi Sophie: Independent candidate from 14 Southern Angami-I assembly constituency, Kevipodi Sophie, kicked off his official campaign after filing the nomination for his candidature at SDO office, Jakhama, some 44 Kms away from the state capital here on Monday.
Addressing a public reception at Jakhama local ground, Sophie said one of the core issues prompting him to join the poll race was the Kezoltsa forest issue which had not garnered enough attention eventhough it was in need of a legislature level intervention. Another issue, he said, was the road development along the region which had been neglected even after centre had initially proposed for a four lane road.
Sophie expressed his desire to also look after widows and aged citizens who needed special attention.
Kudecho Khamo: NDPP candidate for 18 Chozuba A/C Kudecho Khamo launched the election campaign at Chetheba Town in Phek district.
Adrressing a mammoth gathering he acknowledged the leadership of the NDPP led by party president Chingwang Konyak, chief minister Neiphiu Rio and others for allotting the party ticket and credited the prayer and unflinching support of the party workers and supporters.