Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 27 (EMN): The stage is set for the by-election to Nagaland's lone parliamentary seat in the Lok Sabha. The election is scheduled to be conducted on Monday from 7 am to 4 pm. Out of 2196 polling stations spread across the state, the Election Commission of India has modified the poll timing of 309 ‘P-2’ polling stations in nine districts: 22 under Peren, 13 in Phek, 40 under Mokokchung, three in Zunheboto, 78 in Wokha, 93 under Mon, 13 under Longleng, 23 under Tuensang, and 24 in Kiphire to 7 am-3 pm.
The parliamentary by-poll will be a trial of strength between the ruling People's Democratic Alliance's (PDA) nominee Tokheho Yepthomi of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and C Apok Jamir of the Naga People's Front (NPF) backed by its long-time rival, the state's Indian National Congress.
On Monday, Yepthomi will be casting his vote at polling station seven at Naharbari in Dimapur while opponent Jamir will cast his vote at polling station six at Kumlong ward-II in Mokokchung.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will also cast his vote from his native village at polling station seven Touphema Basa in Kohima district.
According to official updates, polling personnel were in place on Sunday evening. Come Monday, 11,97,436 voters — 607589 male and 589847 female voters — are expected to exercise their franchise. Counting of votes will take place on May 31.
Nagaland’s Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio resigned on February 16.
