Security in place for Nagaland bye-polls as several polling stations identified as ‘critical’

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Nov. 2 (EMN): Election authorities in Nagaland have identified 50% of polling stations in 14-Southern Angami-I assembly constituency as “critical or vulnerable”; in 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency, the corresponding figure is 40%.

Polling in these two assembly constituencies will take place on Tuesday from 6 am to 4 pm.

The state’s chief electoral officer (CEO), Abhijit Sinha, informed on Monday that adequate security arrangements have been made to tackle any eventualities in both the constituencies.

The demarcation of sensitive areas was made with the help of the respective district police and administration officers, he informed.

According to the CEO, each polling station will be monitored by the sector magistrate and the sector commander, with mobile security team in tow to respond to any emergency situation.

Sinha informed that arrangements have also been made to get regular updates from every polling station in an hourly basis.

The CEO shared that among the prohibited items seized so far, in connection with the bye-elections, were three illegal arms and 17 cartridges.

He informed that a total of 86 licensed arms have been deposited to the respective district authorities.

Out of the 435 arrests made under section 144 of CrPC, 397 are from Kohima and the rest 28 from Kiphire, the CEO added.

Sinha informed that on Monday afternoon, all the remaining polling parties were dispatched to their respective polling stations.

In all, around 600 polling personnel are involved in polling duty, he added.

“In addition to all the arrangements, all the polling stations have been sanitised,” the CEO said.

Sinha informed that the polling parties, on reaching the polling stations, will be making arrangements to ensure webcasting in “many polling stations”.

He also informed that there are some Covid-19 patients in both the constituencies and arrangements are being made for their transportation to ensure their voting in the last hour.

Cast from home

Meanwhile, Sinha informed that ‘cast from home’ facility is also being provided to the voters as ‘absentee voters’ for People with Disabilities (PwDs) and Covid-19 patients.

The number of such people who have voted in Kohima is 152; for Kiphire, it is 196.

The number of postal ballot (for those on election duty who cannot cast their votes on polling day) is 261 in Kiphire, and 10 in Kohima.

Safety message

Sinha appealed to all the voters from the two assembly constituencies to come out and exercise their franchise, stating that all arrangements have been made at the polling stations.

Maintaining that there are some precautions that need to be taken in view of the Covid-19 situation, he urged the voters to come wearing mask, maintain social distance and follow the instructions given by the polling officials for the safety of all.

Candidates in fray

It may be mentioned that eight candidates — four independent and one each from Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC) and Naga People’s Front (NPF) – are contesting for 14-Southern Angami-I and 60- Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituencies.

The candidates who will contest for 14-Southern Angami-I seat are Medo Yhokha (NDPP), Kikovi Kirha (NPF) and Seyievilie Peter Zashumo (Independent). With 13,641 electorates being enlisted in the constituency, voting will be held in 22 polling stations.

On the other hand, 29,601 citizens are eligible to take part in the bye-election to the 60-Pungro-Kiphire assembly constituency, which will be held in 77 polling stations. Five candidates — Khaseo Anar (INC), Lirimong Sangtam (BJP), S Kiusumew Yimchunger (Independent), K Shellumthong Yimchunger (Independent) and T Yangseo Sangtam (Independent) – are in the fray for the assembly seat.