Polling at Chotobosti in Kohima peaceful; female voters outnumber male

Our Correspondent

Kohima, Nov. 3 (EMN): Polling at Chotobosti (Kitsubouzou) in Kohima was by and large peaceful on Tuesday.

Chotobosti (ward no.5) is the only colony under the assembly constituency of 14-Southern Angami-I, with around 1,469 voters.

Voters turned out in large numbers and queued up in three groups to exercise their franchise. Female outnumbered the male voters.

The SOP against Covid-19 was strictly followed. The medical and security personnel assured that every voter undergo thermal scanning and wear hand gloves, and use hand sanitisers before and after casting their votes.

A total number of 598 (90.06%) electorates cast their votes in polling station 14/15, out of which 337 were female, according to the polling personnel assigned at Chotobosti.

In polling no.14/16, the voter turnout was 507 (90.86%), out of which 278 were female, while the total number of vote cast at 14/14 was 212 (85.82%), out of which 129 were female.

The voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machine malfunctioned at around 10 am but was fixed 20 minutes later.

The machine was then replaced after all the agents of NDPP, NPF and Independent candidates signed a declaration form issued by the presiding officer.

Voting process was fair and the chance of proxy voting reduced with the introduction of “booth app”, wherein an official scanned the document along with admit card produced by each voter to verify whether or not the electorates were genuine before proceeding to vote.

Before casting their votes, the voters had to produce documents like Aadhaar card, MNREGA card, passbook with photograph issued by bank or post office, driving license, PAN card etc.

This has been necessitated by the Election Commission through a notification, directing the electors from the states of Bihar, Manipur, Karnataka, Nagaland etc., to produce their EPIC for identification at the polling station before casting their votes. Sokenye Tep, a micro observer, told Eastern Mirror that with the booth app, around three fake documents at polling no. 14/15 were rejected. He added that if they make use of the new technology effectively, polls could be conducted fairly.

NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha visited the polling stations at Chotobosti.

Both Dr. Neikiesalie Kire and former MLA Dr. Neiphrezo Keditsu of NDPP and MLA Khriehu Liezietsu of NPF also visited the three polling stations.