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DIMAPUR — Candidates for at least 47 seats in three municipal councils and 12 town councils of Nagaland have been declared elected unopposed to the urban local bodies (ULBs) days before the polling on June 26.
With the period for withdrawal of candidature coming to an end on Tuesday, five candidates from the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) were elected unopposed in the Kohima Municipal Council.
The candidates include Kelhousenuo Khruomo of Ward No. 1 (High School), Avilie Rio of Ward No. 2 (Bayavu), Thejavizo Philip Solo of Ward No. 8 (New Market), Neibodzelie Solo of Ward No. 11 (PWD), and Ketousie Khamo of Ward No. 15 (AG).
Certificates of election were formally presented to the five candidates by Returning Officer, T Lanusenla Longkumer, according to an update.
Similarly, the NDPP made gains in the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC), winning five out of the 18 wards.
The unopposed winners included Wabang Kichu from Lijaba Lijen Ward, Walunila from Penli Ward, Maongtula Longchar from Alempang Ward, Imtiyapang from Aongza Ward, and Imkongchuba A from Dilong Ward.
In the Dimapur Municipal Council, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Kuhoi Zhimo won the Ward No. 5 seat unopposed.
Town Councils
Notably, all nine wards in the Chiephobozou Town Council were claimed uncontested by the NDPP.
The elected candidates include: Rüvuotuonuo Ruth Kiewhuo for Ward 1 (Khaduzie - Vinyüziehie); Khrielelie Kekhü-o for Ward 2 (Khaduzie - Church); Lhoubeituo Kezie-o for Ward 3 (Model); Rülhounuo Kiewhuo for Ward 4 (Chazoucha); Kiyasetuo Kengurüse for Ward 5 (ADC); Khriebeituo Rülho for Ward 6 (Phezou); Kekhrieneinuo Zumvu for Ward 7 (Hospital); Keviselie Rüpreo for Ward 8 (DIET); and Khrielievinuo Angami for Ward 9 (Sogokizou)
In Changtongya Town Council (CTC), which has 11 seats, two NDPP candidates -- A Chubanokdang from Antsutzubo Ward and Imkummeren from Longpangtsung Ward-- were declared elected unopposed.
The Indian National Congress (INC) took three seats unopposed in the Tuli Town Council (TTC) with its candidates Imlionen Longkumer from Ward No. 5 (Tuliyong), Temsumenba Imsong from Ward No. 6 (Mendenti) and K Imlitemjen Jamir (INC) from Ward No. 8 (Longpong) winning unopposed.
Out of 11 seats in total, the BJP’s Shilutila from Ward 4 Aitlenden, NDPP’s Chubarenla from Ward No. 7 (Patizung) and Alemchuba from Ward No. 9 (Longlilden) were also declared unopposed winners.
In Mangkolemba Town Council (MTC), which has nine seats, independent candidate A Meren Walling of Luyong Ward won uncontested.
According to a press release from the Aghunato unit of NDPP, three of its candidates secured their seats unopposed in the Aghunato Town Council. They include Juvitoli Katty of Ward No. 4 (Reserved), Hoka of Ward No. 8, and Nitokhu T Yeptho of Ward No. 9
In Wokha, the Returning Officer and ADC, K Furhesie Nyuwi handed over the certificates of election to four candidates who won the election uncontested. The candidates include Renthunglo Kikon of Ward No.1 (Reservation) from the NDPP, NCP candidate Lily T Humtsoe from Ward. No 4 (Reservation), and two candidates from the BJP, Nzano Kikon of Ward No-13 (Reservation), and Rukhumo Kikon of Ward No.14
With this, 27 candidates will compete for the remaining 11 wards under Wokha Town Council when the state goes to poll on June 26.
Meanwhile, two candidates from Bhandari Town Council were also elected unopposed. Both the candidates -- Khongthungia Odyuo from Ward 2 and Renbilo M Humtsoe (Reservation) from Ward -- are from the Naga People’s Front (NPF) party.
Niukali K Assumi, the lone NDPP candidate for Ward No. 4 (Old Town Colony) in the Zunheboto Town Council, was also declared elected unopposed by ADC Zunheboto and RO, Keyirangding Hegui on Tuesday.
In the Niuland Town Council, Visheli Zhimo from Ward No. 1, V Samuel Holo from Ward No. 2, and Kakheka Zhimomi from Ward No. 9 won their seats unopposed. All the three candidates are from the BJP.
Out of the nine seats in the Medziphema Town Council (MTC), NDPP candidate Seyievino Vitsu from Ward-7 was also uncontested.
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won two seats in the Tening Town Council with candidates Mairisibo Rengmunta of Ward 8 and Rambin of Ward 7.
Additionally, Evuka Z of Ward 8 and Hekhevi of Ward 9, both from the NCP, won their seats unopposed in the Atoizu Town Council.
79 nominations withdrawn
According to an update from the office of the State Election Commissioner (SEC), a total of 79 candidates have withdrawn their nominations as of Tuesday.
The initial number of nominations received by the SEC on the last day of filing, June 11, was 669.
While the SEC did not provide details on how many nominations were rejected during the scrutiny on June 13, with the latest withdrawal figures, the tally of candidates now stands at 590.
Out of this, at least 543 candidates are expected to go through the election process which will be conducted on June 26, after a two-decade gap. This is also the first ULB election to be held in the state with 33 per cent reservation for women.
Re-poll, if any, will be conducted on June 28, while the counting of votes and declaration of results will be done on June 29.