Voters wait in a very discipline manner to cast their votes at a polling booth at Pungro in Nagaland’s Kiohire assembly constituency. They are seen maintaining social distance in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. Image credit: Twitter

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.