Elections LIVE: 82% voter turnout recorded in Nagaland, 75% in Meghalaya

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Over 82.42 per cent of Nagaland's 1,316,000 voters cast their votes on Monday in the Assembly polls, held in 59 of the 60 constituencies amid tight security, election officials said. Polling percentage was 83.85 in the 2018 Assembly polls, and the 2023 turnout is likely to increase after compilation of the reports of the Returning Officers, the officials said. According to election officials, voting was largely peaceful across the northeastern state except some stay incidents of violence, including stone pelting and minor clashes. No major untoward incident has been reported so far. In Akuk village under the Bhandari Assembly constituency in Wokha district, supporters of a candidate attacked the rival party workers using sharp-edged weapons in which three persons were injured. Voting started at 7 am. in 2,291 polling stations, manned by 11,500 staff, and enedd at 4 pm. In Meghalaya, more than 75 per cent of the 2,160,000 electors cast their votes on Monday till 5 pm and the polling was peaceful, Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said. The figure is expected to increase as the polling continued for several hours after the scheduled time of conclusion. The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) is contesting to retain power while the BJP, Trinamool Congress and other regional parties are attempting to bring about a change in the government in the northeastern state.

In view of the Assembly elections in the northeastern state of Nagaland, the interstate borders have been sealed to prevent undesirable elements and materials from being transported into Assembly Constituencies from outside. As per the Election Commission of India, the voting will start at 7 am today and will conclude at 4 pm. The counting of votes will be held on March 2. "In compliance with PHQ Signal No.PHQ/ELECTIONCELL/GAE/61/2022-23/387 as per Election Commission of India SOP for the last 72 hours all interstate borders will have to be sealed to prevent undesirable elements and materials from being transported into Assembly Constituency from outside and to apprehend them if they attempt to do so," read an official press release from Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nagaland.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said his government was committed to maintaining law and order in the state and no one would be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace. Referring to the insurgency period in Punjab, Mann said the state and its people have suffered a lot in the past and they only want peace and progress. Though some fissiparous forces are continuously trying to derail the peace and progress of the state, their nefarious designs will not be allowed to succeed, the chief minister said, adding no one will be allowed to disturb the hard-earned peace in the state.

Aam Aadmi Party to hit roads and stage protests across the country on Monday against the arrest of Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor excise policy case. AAP's national General Secretary Sandeep Pathak said that they will protest across the country on Monday. Taking to Twitter, Pathak on Sunday said, "The great Education Minister Manish Sisodia, who has shaped the future of lakhs of children of the country, has been arrested in a fake case. Against this, the Aam Aadmi Party will protest across the country tomorrow."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in an interview broadcast on Sunday that after Russia suspended its participation in the last arms control agreement with Washington, it would take into account the nuclear weapons capabilities not only of the United States but of other NATO countries such as France and Britain. Putin had said in a speech suspending Russia's role in the 2010 New START treaty earlier this week that France and Britain, not parties to the agreement, had joined the United States in targeting Russia with nuclear weapons.

6:54 PM

Nagaland polls: Over 82% turnout recorded, stray incidents of violence reported

Over 82.42 per cent of Nagaland's 13.16 lakh voters cast their votes on Monday in the Assembly polls, held in 59 of the 60 constituencies amid tight security, election officials said. Polling percentage was 83.85 in the 2018 Assembly polls, and the 2023 turnout is likely to increase after compilation of the reports of the Returning Officers, the officials said. According to election officials, voting was largely peaceful across the northeastern state except some stay incidents of violence, including stone pelting and minor clashes. No major untoward incident has been reported so far. In Akuk village under the Bhandari Assembly constituency in Wokha district, supporters of a candidate attacked the rival party workers using sharp-edged weapons in which three persons were injured. Voting started at 7 a.m. in 2,291 polling stations, manned by 11,500 staff, and enedd at 4 p.m.

4:13 PM

Assembly elections: Focus on four women candidates in Nagaland polls

As Nagaland goes to the polls to elect a new Assembly, all eyes will be on four women candidates who are trying to create history by becoming the first women to be elected as a legislator in this North Eastern state. For a state with women in leadership roles in almost all key social issues, it never had a woman MLA, social observers said. Of the total electorate of 13,17,632, the number of female voters in this election is 6,56,143 or 49.8 per cent. There are four women nominees in the electoral fray out of total 183 candidates. The four women candidates are Hekhani Jakhalu of NDPP in Dimapur-III seat, Rosy Thompson of Congress in Tening seat, Salhoutuonuo of NDPP in Western Angami seat and Kahuli Sema of BJP in Atoizu seat.

3:51 PM

Nagaland Assembly elections: Naga political talk will soon end with positive solution, says CM

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio expressed his hope that the Naga political dialogue would soon end with a positive solution. After casting his vote at Tuophema polling station in Kohima district, he said that it is very encouraging that NSCN-IM and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) earlier issued a joint declaration that they would strive forward to expedite the Naga peace talks with the central government. Eight other Naga armed groups a few years back came together under the banner of NNPG. The Union government has been holding separate talks with the NSCN-IM and the Working Committee of NNPGs since 1997 and 2017 respectively. The Framework Agreement with the NSCN-IM was signed in August 2015 and the Agreed Position with NNPGs in November 20.

3:50 PM

Voter turnout in Meghalaya till 3 pm stands at 63.91%, 72.99% in Nagaland

A voter turnout of 72.99 per cent was recorded in Nagaland and 63.91 per cent in Meghalaya till 3 pm as the polling began amid tight security today, informed the Election Commission of India.

3:32 PM

Meghalaya Assembly elections: Old lady with the help of police personnel cast her vote in Khasi Jaintia region

1:56 PM

Assembly elections: 44.73% polling in Meghalaya, 60.51% in Nagaland till 1 pm

Till 1 pm, 44.73% voter turnout recorded in Meghalaya Elections 2023 and 60.51% in Nagaland Elections 2023

11:21 AM

Meghalaya Assembly elections: People's vote will decide that I will win, says Meghalaya BJP chief

I feel that my vote & people's vote will decide that I will win this constituency as an MLA: Ernest Mawrie, Meghalaya BJP chief and party's candidate from West Shillong constituency, after casting his vote

10:22 AM

Assembly elections: 12% polling in Meghalaya, 15.76% in Nagaland till 9 am

Till 9 am, 12.06 per cent voter turnout recorded in Meghalaya Elections 2023 and 15.76 per cent in Nagaland Elections 2023.

9:28 AM

Give change a chance: Mallikarjun Kharge to Meghalaya, Nagaland voters

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday urged the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland to give change a chance as polling in the two northeast states was underway.

"People of Meghalaya and Nagaland are looking towards progressive, welfare-oriented governments," Kharge said in a tweet.

"Welcome our first time voters to participate in this democratic process for a better future. Urge our sisters and brothers of Meghalaya and Nagaland to give change a chance," he said.

9:24 AM

Election Commission to hold peace meetings in Tripura ahead of poll results

The Election Commission said that it will hold peace meetings on Monday and Tuesday to avert any law and order problem in the state after election results are declared on March 2.

The Chief Election Officer, Kiran Gitte told ANI that they had meetings with all political parties in this regard.

"After poll results, a law and order situation can occur. Peace meetings to be held on February 27 and 28," the Chief Election officer said, adding, "People will be requested to pass a resolution to maintain peace".

9:11 AM

PM Modi urges Meghalaya, Nagaland voters to vote in record numbers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday urged voters in Meghalaya and Nagaland to cast their votes in record numbers.

Assembly polls are being held in the two northeast states on Monday.

Modi tweeted, "Urging the people of Meghalaya and Nagaland, particularly the young and first time voters, to vote in record numbers today."

8:36 AM

Nagaland Assembly elections: BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi re-elected unopposed from Akuluto

BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi re-elected unopposed from Nagaland's Akuluto Assembly constituency.

8:32 AM

Meghalaya Assembly elections

8:29 AM

Meghalaya Assembly elections: First five early voters receive mementos to encourage early voting

8:28 AM

Meghalaya, Nagaland Assembly elections

Voting begins across 59 constituencies each of Meghalay and Nagaland to elect new government.

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Topics : Vladimir Putin NATO voting Nagaland Meghalaya Assembly elections Punjab Bhagwant Mann AAP United States Russia Ukraine Conflict

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First Published: Feb 27 2023 | 8:24 AM IST