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Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, July 28 (EMN): 16,235 voters of the 10th Northern Angami-I assembly constituency will go to the polls on Saturday to elect a new representative after the constituency seat was vacated by former MLA Khriehu Liezietsu last May.
Khriehu’s father and former chief minister Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu has made a comeback from voluntary retirement from electoral politics this year to seek the seat he had held for eight tenures in the past. Liezietsu senior, who is also the president of Naga People’s Front (NPF) will be contesting the by-election on NPF party ticket.
Human rights activist and academician, 41-years-old newbie in state politics Kekhrie Yhome is contesting as an independent candidate.
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Kekhrie Yhome[/caption]
In a broader context, Saturday's polling represents a test to determine the failure or success of the NBCC-led clean elections campaign.
While both candidates have been vocal in their support of the clean elections program, it is abundantly clear that for a political newbie like Yhome, success is entirely dependent upon the extent to which the Church-initiated clean elections campaign is allowed to be put in pratice.
Saturdays polls will the first election since the signing of the 18-point pledge by all the political parties in response to the clarion call of the NBCC's Clean Election Campaign.
The poll process will be critically observed from all quarters and it will be the first measure of the impact that the NBCC campaign has made so far. The Kohima Village Council and the Kohima Village Youth Organisation have also issued strong directives in line with the Clean Election Campaign and the various elections rules to be followed on the polling day.
It has been learnt that Dr. Liezietsu will be casting his vote at Khedi Baptist Higher Secondary while Yhome will cast his vote at Lower L-Khel GMS.
72 vehicles have been verified on Friday at Local Ground Kohima by authorities and were detailed for official election duty.
Polling will be held from 7am till 4 pm in 25 polling stations.
On the polling day, voters can contact the election department control room at 1950 and DC office control room at 2291249 for any query or complaint.
The counting of votes will be on August 3.
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Traffic personnel verifying the vehicles moving out for election duty for the by-election of the 10 Northern Angami-1 A/C at Kohima local ground on July 28.[/caption]
Earlier, the government has notified that in accordance to section 135 B of the Representation of the People’s Act 1951 and in view of the by-election to the 10th Northern Angami–I assembly constituency under Kohima district on July 29, all establishments including government offices and shops shall remain closed in the area falling under the said constituency on the day of poll.
The notification further stated that paid holiday will be granted to all employees in the area of the constituency, including those electors working outside the constituency in order to enable them to participate and exercise their franchise.
Administrator of Kohima Municipal Council (KMC), Kethosituo Sekhose has also directed all business establishment including schools and institutions under ward No. 1 (High school), Ward No. 2 (Bayavu) and Ward No. 3 (North Block) of the Kohima Municipality to remain closed.
In a separate press note, Deputy Commissioner & Returning Officer, Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan has directed that all banks (including private banks) under Kohima HQ to remain closed.
