NO NOMINATIONS FILED YET IN NAGALAND, JUST 2 DAYS REMAIN

been five days since the notification for this month’s assembly election in Nagaland was announced. But no candidate, either from political parties or independents, filed nominations papers till Monday.

Despite a boycott threat by political parties, the notification was issued by the Election Commission on January 31. The last date of filing of nomination is February 7. Polling is scheduled on February 27.

“No candidate has filed nomination papers in any of the 60 constituencies till Monday. The deadline for filing nominations ends at 3pm on February 7,” said Nagaland chief electoral officer Abhijit Sinha.

Last month, on the insistence of tribal bodies and civil rights bodies, 11 political parties, including the ruling Naga People’s Front, ally BJP and opposition Congress, signed a declaration not to participate in the election. They had urged the Election Commission and the Centre to defer polls till a final solution to the Naga peace talks is arrived at.

But the BJP soon backed out and announced its decision to contest the polls. This led to other parties also deciding on taking part in the election.

“We have reports of large number of nomination papers being taken from offices of returning officers. We hope the candidates will file nomination in the two remaining days,” said Sinha.

The past few days also saw breakup in the 15-year-old alliance between BJP and NPP, with the saffron outfit deciding to join hands with a newly formed National Political Party (NDPP).

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), in talks with Centre for the ‘final solution’, issued a statement on Sunday saying “imposed” election was not acceptable. The core committee of Naga tribal ‘hohos’ and civil organisations (CCNTHCO) says it would not interfere with the elections.

GUWAHATI:It’s No candidate has filed nomination papers in any of the 60 constituencies till Monday. The deadline for filing nominations ends at

3pm on February 7.