Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, MAY 15
REPOLL in five polling stations under 39-Sanis Assembly Constituency of Wokha District reported zero voters’ turnout till the completion of scheduled time from 7am to 4pm today.
The polling stations where re-poll had been ordered are 10-Lakhuti-I; 11-Lakhuti-II; 13-Lakhuti-IV; 36-Lakhuti-VII and 37-Lakhuti-VIII.
The Election Commission (EC) ordered re-polling in five polling stations to be held today, while the orders were issued on May 13, Commissioner Nagaland, who is also the Returning Officer for Lok Sabha polls in Nagaland, Temjen Toy said here.
The total number of electorate in the 5 polling stations equals 3448, of which 3262 voters exercised their franchise and only 286 voters not reporting to cast their votes.
The 95% votes cast is what led to the Congress filing a complaint alleging wide scale proxy voting in the polling stations with the Election Commission of India.
The votes cast according to the polling stations are: 10-Lakhuti-I - 799 out of 873; Lakhuti – 533 out of 551; Lakhuti-IV (700 out of 734); Lakhuti-VII - 740 out of 755) and Lakhuti-VIII – 490 out of 535.
The RO said that EC declared the re-poll under sub section (2) of section 58 of the Representation of People Act 1951 that the poll taken on April 9 at the five polling stations to be void.
However, the RO Nagaland said that there has been zero voters’ turnout in all the polling stations. The polling officials will stay till 4pm, the time till which fresh poll is supposed to be conducted.
Asked about the reason for re-poll, the RO said no specific information was given by EC in the notification declaring the April 9 votes cast in the five polling stations as void.
On the nil voters turnout for the re-poll, he said there have been no official communication but the village leaders of Lakhuti are complaining in the imposition of repoll as the April 9 poll percentage in the five polling stations have not as to why should the repoll be ordered.
The Congress in its representation submitted to EC on April 25 last while pointing that April 9 elections in the state had been marred with massive proxy voting and election malpractices, demanded for conduct of repoll in over 1300 polling stations which had reportedly recorded beyond 90% voter’s turnout.
Repoll in two polling stations under Suruhoto Assembly Constituency of Zunheboto district was held on May 10 while fresh poll in five polling stations under Lakhuti village order for today.
The ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) lodged a complaint with the EC against the decision of repolling.
In the complaint, NPF secretary general K G Kenye said the repoll has been ordered despite the positive report of “free and fair” elections by the presiding officers and the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Wokha.
The repoll had been ordered on “mere allegations” of the Congress, Kenye said adding it was a clear violation of the standard procedures and needed to be revoked.
The party said high voter turnout in the state also exemplified the fact that people of Nagaland have further contributed towards strengthening of democracy.
If people’s participation was questioned and nullified, the reaction might result in “unwanted circumstances” and hinder the democratic process in future, the NPF warned.
All preparations have been put in place for the D-Day, counting of votes and declaration of the result for the 16th Lok Sabha elections in Nagaland.
Commissioner Nagaland, who is also the Returning Officer for the lone Parliamentary seat in the state, Temjen Toy, told this correspondent that counting of votes will commence from 8:00 am in all the 12 election districts, including Pughoboto election district and Commissioner’s office Kohima.
The Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were kept under the vigil of CRPF in the strong rooms, he said adding that all security arrangements have also been put in place for the peaceful completion of the counting process.
He said no additional forces would be deployed during the counting, except the available CRPF and State police forces.
The counting will take place in the respective DC office while the postal ballots will be counted In the Commissioner’s office Kohima. Nagaland has 5376 service voters, who were issued with ballot papers.
The final result should be out by latest by 4 pm, he said.
The results will decide the fate of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of Naga People’s Front (NPF), KV Pusa of Congress (INC) and Akhei Achumi of Socialist Party (India).
Out of the total 11,82,948 voters, including 5,376 service voters, around 88 percent electorate exercised their franchise in 2059 polling stations spread over 12 electoral districts, including Pughboto sub-division, in the State.
Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner (CEO) Nagaland, Sentiyanger,, has informed that trends and results of the counting would be made available to the public from 8 am onwards in the website of the Election Commission http://eciresults.nic.in.
