Kohima, Nov 4 (UNI) Nagaland By-elections to the two Assembly constituencies- Southern
Angami-I and Pungro-Kiphire recorded an overall polling percentage of 88.10 percent,
where Southern Angami-I Assembly Constituency, the poll percentage was 84.41 percent
and Pungro- Kiphire Assembly Constituency recorded 89.80 percent.
Briefing the newsmen in his office chamber last night, Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer
(CEO) Abhijit Sinha informed that the voting began at 6 AM and ended at 4 PM. Webcast
and static video recordings were done in all the polling booths to ensure free and fair
elections, which were passed off peacefully barring a stray incident yesterday amidst tight
security and following COVID protocols.
Mr Sinha said that the Singrep polling station under Pungro-Kiphire constituency, where
polling was adjourned during the first hour of voting, following a scuffle outside the polling
booth.
He said following the official complaint from the Returning Officer, a report was sent to
Election Commission of India (ECI) from whom a re-poll directive was awaited. There were
also complaints and counter complaints from the ruling NDPP and opposition NPF under
Southern Angami-I seat.
Mr Sinha informed that following receipt such complaints, that voters were not being
allowed to vote in Jakhama under Southern Angami constituency.
The CEO claimed that Deputy Commissioner, District Election Officer and Superintendent
of Police visited the place and found the situation normal.
Mr Sinha informed the media that flying squads and Static surveillance teams were active
in both the constituencies and so far seizures had been made worth Rs 14, 21,000.
On visit of PDA advisers to Southern Angami Assembly Constituency, Mr Sinha remarked
that visit by “outsiders” (who were not voters of the constituency) after campaigning period
concluding at 4 PM on November 1 was not correct and a violation of model code of
conduct (MCC).
On COVID-19 safety protocols, the CEO informed that voters were screened in every
polling station, before entering into hall for exercising their votes.
Meanwhile, Mr Sinha said that there were some Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) which
developed defect during the mock poll.
During the actual poll, 8 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines including
one Control Unit (CU) and Balloting Unit (BU) each were replaced, he added.
UNI AS BM