Nagaland ULB Elections: Minor incidents reported amidst overall peace

Provisional poll percentage of 83.54%, says State Election Commission

DIMAPUR — Polling for the Urban Local Body (ULB) election in Nagaland “peacefully” came to a close on Wednesday with a provisional poll percentage of 83.54%, the State Election Commission said.

A total of 523 candidates, including 325 males and 198 females, were in the contest across 24 ULBs spread across 420 polling stations and 214 wards.

 “The polls went smoothly in all polling stations except in 1 (One) under Dimapur Municipal Council, the matter of which is under the examination of the State Election Commission for further action,” it said, without providing any further details.

Also, the SEC informed that Atoizu Town Council recorded the highest voter turnout with a poll percentage of 95.47%, while Changtongya Town Council registered the lowest turnout with 67.70%.

Re-polls, if any, will be taken on June 28, as notified in the election programme.

The counting of votes will be held on June 29 at the approved counting centres, it said.

While the SEC has also not confirmed any poll-related violence, Eastern Mirror received reports of altercations in various polling stations across wards in the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).

At a polling station in Ward 20 (Imkonglenden), a woman was slapped by a man. The woman was reportedly arguing with the man, claiming that her vote had already been cast by someone else when she arrived at the polling station. This led to a heated argument and the assault.

The man was detained by police personnel.

In the same ward, there was also a commotion when a voter claimed he was prevented from casting his vote. This led to an argument between supporters of different parties. However, with the intervention of council members and police personnel, the voter was eventually allowed to cast his ballot.

At Landmark Colony polling station 2 in Ward 13, AkoklaPongen, the Indian National Congress (INC) candidate for the ward, alleged that members of another party were attempting to capture the booth. She stated that she would be filing a complaint with the Returning Officer about these incidents and alleged that council members were biased towards her supporters.

However, LongriImsong, the Landmark Colony chairman, stated that the polling process was peaceful and without disturbance. He explained that, according to Ward 13 colony regulations, outsiders were restricted from entering the polling station during voting and clarified that decisions regarding observer access are solely the responsibility of the presiding officer.

Notably, at the Dimapur Railway High School polling station in Ward-6, a party worker of an unspecified political party was detained by the police with cash near the polling station.

Meanwhile, in Ward 10, Naharbari, under the East Dimapur Town Council, independent candidate Asangla T Aier alleged that HekaniJakhalu, Advisor for Industries and Commerce, breached the election Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by entering polling stations in Naharbari.

Speaking to journalists, Jakhalu responded by stating that Ward 10 is a ward with a majority of voters from minority communities. She alleged that outsiders were trying to intimidate voters and that her duty was to ensure the safety of all voters, regardless of party affiliation. She also stated that she was informing presiding officers to maintain a peaceful election.

As per updates from the state DIPR, elections were conducted peacefully in Kohima, Chümoukedima, Peren, and Phek districts.

While videos of altercations between supporters of different candidates in the four ULBs under Mokokchung district circulated on social media, police officials reported that no formal complaints of untoward incidents were received.

However, they stated that when information about such incidents was reported, swift actions were taken to de-escalate the situations, and normal polling was resumed.

In Chümoukedima, despite long queues at some polling stations, with one voter waiting for three hours to cast her ballot, the overall atmosphere was calm. Security personnel were present at all polling stations, closely monitoring the situation.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Chümoukedima, confirmed that the overall situation in the area was “quite normal.” He acknowledged some minor issues in certain wards but stated that they were quickly addressed.

Unlike Dimapur, there were no reports of arrests related to the ULB elections.