Around 55 per cent of voters cast their ballots till 2 pm of polling for by-elections to two assembly seats in Nagaland on Tuesday amidst tight security and strict adherence to the COVID-19 protocol.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha said that the bypolls are being held in Southern Angami-1 seat in Kohima district and in Pungro Kiphire constituency in Kiphire district.
Polling began at 6 am in both the seats, he said.
“The polling is by and large peaceful so far. No major incident reported yet,” Sinha said.
Altogether eight candidates are in the fray — three in Southern Angami-1 and five in Pungro-Kiphire.
“Adequate security forces have been deployed and Covid-19 protocols are in force for smooth conduct of the bypolls,” Sinha said.
The bypolls to Southern Angami-1 and Pungro Kiphire seats were necessitated following the deaths of the then Assembly speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu and T Torechu of the Naga People’s Front respectively.
A total of 13,641 voters are eligible to cast their votes in 22 polling stations in Southern Angami-1 and 29,601 electorates in 23 polling booths in Pungro Kiphire.