One killed during Nagaland poll
NORTHEAST VOTES Three others injured in a separate incident in the state while polling in Meghalaya was peaceful GUWAHATI/SHILLONG:
One person was killed and three others were injured in two separate incidents of election-related violence in Nagaland while voting was peaceful in Meghalaya on Tuesday.
Polling took place in the two Christian-majority states in the northeast from 7 am and continued till the evening. Though 4 pm was the deadline for the voting to end — those who were in queue were allowed to cast votes even after that.
Voting is likely to continue till late evening in several polling booths in Meghalaya where polling started late due to faulty EVMs and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines in some polling booths.
While 75% voting was reported till 5:30pm in Nagaland, the figure was 67% for Meghalaya till 4pm. It is expected to go higher, election officers of the two states said.
Over 90% voting was recorded in Nagaland in 2013. The figure was 88% for Meghalaya five years ago. Both the state assemblies have 60 seats each. But, the pollland. ing took place only in 59.
Polling was countermanded in Williamnagar in Meghalaya following the death of Nationalist Congress Party Candidate (NCP) Jonathone N Sangma and four others in an IED blast last Sunday. In Nagaland, former CM and leader of newly formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) Neiphiu Rio was elected uncontested from the Northern Angami-II seat.
Counting of votes for both states and Tripura—where voting took place on February 18— will take place on March 3.
The day started with an explosion taking place near a polling booth in Tizit town in Mon district of Nagaland in which one village council member sustained injuries.
“The incident took place at 5:45 am when some miscreants blasted a hand-made crude bomb. Poll personnel were conducting mock drill at that time. The situation was brought under control immediately and polling took place unhindered,” SP Mon,Vechipa Vise, said.
One person was killed and 2 others injured in clashes between supporters of ruling Naga People’s Front and the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP)-BJP alliance at Akhuluto in Zunheboto district of Naga- The incident took place around 11:10 am and security personnel on duty had to open fire to disperse the unruly mob. Officials said polling wasn’t affected by the incident.
“The Naga People’s Front is confident of returning to power. Talks are also on with Janata Dal (United) and National People’s Party (NPP) to form a coalition,” Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang said.
In Meghalaya, polling got delayed in nearly three dozen booths due to problems in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail(VVPAT) machines.
“There was some technical problem mainly in VVPATs. They were sorted out by our personnel and voting took place smoothly after that in all booths.” FR Kharkongor, chief electoral officer Meghalaya, said.
The Congress, which has been in power since 2008, is attempting another shot at power while the BJP, a minor player till 5 years ago, hopes to get enough seats.
“... We are confident of a nonCongress government this time in the state,” Shibun Lyngdoh, Meghalaya unit president of BJP, said.