DIPR
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 13
11 polling stations have been declared hyper-sensitive/ critical, nine vulnerable and 19 others as ‘normal polling stations’ for the forthcoming bye-elections to the 11 Northern Angami II Assembly Constituency. The poll is scheduled to be held on October 15. The hyper-sensitive polling stations are Teichuma-GPS, Nachama-GPS, Nerhema Lower-GPS, Nerhema Upper-GPS, Chiechama Bawe- GPS, Cheichama Basa-GPS, Chiechama Phesazuo- GPS, Chiephobozou- Don Bosco School, Tsiemekhuma Basa- GPS, Chiechama Pheluo-Community Hall Rupreo Chienuo, and Nerhe Model Village Panchayat Hall Nerhe Model Village, Sensitive/Vulnerable are Zhadima Upper- GPS, Zhadima Lower-GPS, Seiyhama- Gps, Rusoma- GPS, Rusoma Basa- GPS, Phekekriema Bawe- GPS, Kijumetouma -GPS, Dihoma-GPS and Cieswema Basa- GPS. The remaining 19 polling stations are normal.
Paid holiday on poll day
The Home department has declared October 15 a paid holiday.
All the state establishments including government offices and shops shall remain closed.
The day of polling has been declared a paid holiday for all the employees of the constituency serving within and outside the area of 11-Northern Angami-II Assembly constituency to enable them to participate and exercise their franchise.
Bye-election not a ‘friendly contest’ but ‘fair contest’ between alliance parties
Much has been said about the forthcoming bye-elections in the 11 Northern Angami assembly constituency which is due for polling on October 15.
Some of the leaders of the NPF have gone on record saying that it is a “friendly contest” while others have said that it is a fair contest.
The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) came into being in 2002 with BJP as a leading partner and ever since, the BJP has been a participating member of the DAN, except for a brief period in between.
NPF 11 Northern Angami II A/C president Peter Kuotsu and Secretary Vibeilietuo Kets in a statement said, “In the past, we have seen consensus candidates in elections especially in Lok Sabha elections and bye-elections. The decision to select consensus candidates and field common candidates used to be taken at DAN Consultative Committee meetings and the alliance had a healthy relationship.
However this time, the NPF did not have the moral authority to request the BJP not to field its party candidate despite the fact that the seat belonged to the NPF and was represented by former Chief Minister and present MP, because of the disqualification of BJP MLAs. This has resulted in a strained relationship resulting in a scenario where the NPF could not reach out to the BJP to have a common understanding.”
The statement said, the contest is not ‘friendly contest’.
“Though alliance parties, in fact, it is a fair contest. It is ironic that the main opposition party of the DAN, which is the Congress, is nowhere in the contest and the two alliance partners are involved in a straight contest.”
The NPF unit appealed to all sections to support free and fair elections and allow the principles of democracy to triumph. The party is hopeful that in the aftermath of these bye-elections, the relationship between the NPF and the BJP will be renewed and re-strengthened in the greater interest of the people of Nagaland and the country.
