Nagaland: Full-proof arrangements in place for counting of votes in Koridang Assembly bypoll tomorrow

Kohima, May 3 (SocialNews.XYZ) With the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) along with state security personnel, elaborate multi-layered security arrangements, CCTV surveillance, and strict access control measures have been put in place at the Mokokchung District Deputy Commissioner's office, where counting for the by-election to the Koridang Assembly constituency in Nagaland will take place on Monday, officials said on Sunday.

Election officials said that all necessary preparations have been completed to ensure smooth and transparent counting of votes for the Koridang Assembly Constituency by-election, which is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. on Monday.

The by-election held on April 9 was necessitated following the demise of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen, who passed away on November 11, 2024, at a private hospital in Guwahati after a brief illness. He was 75 years old.

The bypoll recorded a voter turnout of 82.21 per cent out of a total electorate of 22,390 voters on April 9, with electors casting their votes across 30 polling stations.

A total of six candidates are contesting the by-election.

The BJP, a constituent of the ruling People's Democratic Alliance (PDA), has fielded Daochier I. Imchen, son of the late legislator Imkong L. Imchen, as the consensus candidate of the alliance.

Other prominent candidates include I. Abenjang of the National People's Party (NPP) and T. Chalukumba Ao of the Congress.

Three Independent candidates -- Imchatoba Imchen, Imtiwapang Kichu, and Major Toshikaba (Retd) -- are also in the fray, making the contest competitive.

According to election officials, the highly secured counting centre has been fully prepared with a structured layout, including designated tables for counting personnel, observers, and agents of contesting candidates to ensure a smooth, transparent, and orderly process.

Multiple CCTV cameras have been installed to closely monitor every stage of the counting process.

In view of the election-related violence reported on April 5 and 6, which resulted in one fatality, several injuries, and damage to vehicles, a robust multi-tier security arrangement has been deployed in and around the counting centre to prevent any untoward incidents.

Following Election Commission guidelines, the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), currently stored in strong rooms under round-the-clock security, will be opened in the presence of candidates or their authorised agents prior to the commencement of counting on Monday morning.

Officials also added that counting personnel have undergone two rounds of training, and all necessary protocols have been put in place to ensure adherence to transparency norms and Election Commission directives.

The results are expected to be declared by Monday afternoon.

Meanwhile, the NPP, led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, had earlier lodged a formal complaint with the Election Commission, seeking a re-poll at the Alichen polling station.

In a statement, the NPP alleged serious irregularities and deliberate suppression of voter turnout in the Alichen cluster of polling stations.

The party highlighted a sharp and unusual decline in voter participation in Alichen, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

According to official data, only 1,323 votes were cast out of 3,310 registered voters in Alichen, resulting in a turnout of around 39.9 per cent.

This suggests that nearly 60 per cent of voters were unable to exercise their franchise.

"In contrast, neighbouring polling stations recorded significantly higher participation, with turnout figures ranging from more than 70 per cent to as high as 99 per cent," the NPP noted.

Source: IANS