Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party member Tokheho Yepthomi, consensus candidate of ruling People’s Democratic Alliance and Opposition Naga People’s Front candidate C Apok Jamir filed their nominations for the by-election to the lone Lok Sabha seat at Nagaland Commissioner’s office in Kohima on Thursday. The by-election will be held on May 28.
Commissioner Motsuthung Patton, who is also the returning officer for the by-election to the Lok Sabha constituency, assisted by Additional Deputy Commissioner (HQ) and ARO Limanenla, examined the necessary documents furnished by the candidates while general observer Dr J Ravi Shankar, who has been deployed for the by –election, observed the filing proceedings.
NPF candidate Jamir lost the February 2018 election from Mokokchung town Assembly constituency to NDPP candidate and present minister of urban development and municipal affairs Metsubo Jamir while NDPP candidate Tokheho Yepthomi was defeated in Dimapur-III constituency by NPF candidate Azheto Zhimomi.
The Congress had decided not to contest the by-poll. In a release on Wednesday, the party said it cannot support any political party that is aligned with the BJP in one way or the other. It further said the Pradesh Congress executive committee will meet soon to review the situation and issue necessary directives to party workers at all levels on the next course of action.
Though the JD (U) said it will contest the by-election with the same manifesto that was released during the recently concluded Nagaland Assembly elections, it has not fielded any candidate.
The lone Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio resigned in February to contest the state Assembly election on NDPP ticket. Rio won the seat in 2014 Lok Sabha election on NPF ticket.