Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 30 (EMN): The People’s Democratic Alliance’s (PDA) consensus candidate H Chuba Chang, who is contesting the bye-election to the 51-Noksen Assembly Constituency on Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) ticket, is set to win uncontested as he was the lone candidate to file the nomination papers when the deadline ended on Tuesday.
“The filing of nominations that began on March 22 ended at 3 pm today (March 30) and only one candidate has filed for nomination,” Chief Election Officer of Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha confirmed to Eastern Mirror.
‘But, final (result) will be given on March 3 only after withdrawal of candidatures. The intending candidate filed for nomination will be scrutinised on March 31,’ he added.
The bye-election to the 51-Noksen Assembly Constituency is scheduled to be held on April 17.
The PDA consensus candidate Chang filed his nomination at SDO (Civil) office on Tuesday.
The seat for the 51-Noksen Assembly Constituency fell vacant after the passing away of incumbent Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Justice and Law, CM Chang on October 12 2020.
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) issued its ticket to H Chuba Chang, a former minister and civil servant, at a felicitation and ticket ceremony of PDA consensus candidate, which was held at NDPP headquarters, Chümoukedima in Dimapur on Monday.
The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee had on March 28 announced its decision not to contest the bye-election. Other political parties, including the Naga People’s Front (NPF) and National People's Party failed to field any candidate on the last day of nominations.
Failed to set up candidate — NPF
Meanwhile, NPF President Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu informed this newspaper that the party had “failed to set up a candidate” for the 51-Noksen Assembly Constituency.
When queried why the opposition party did not field a candidate, the party president said, “There may be some reasons and so many things behind but it is not necessary when we fail to set up a candidate. That is the fact and no more explanations required.” “We fail to fill up (sic)”, he said, adding that the party has no other reasons.