The BJP, which has replaced Congress as the dominant party in the northeast, is optimistic of its prospects in the three states
Repolling will be held in four polling stations in as many assembly constituencies in Nagaland on March 1, the Election Commission said on Tuesday. The EC took the decision based on reports submitted by General Observers and after taking all "material circumstances into account". The repolling will be held between 7 am and 4 pm, the EC order said. "Ensure that wide publicity is given by beating of drums or any other convenient mode in the aforementioned polling stations' areas. Inform the political parties and contesting candidates in writing about the fresh poll being taken on the said date...," the order to the state chief electoral officer said. Nagaland went to polls on Monday. The counting of votes in the state along with Meghalaya and Tripura will be taken up on Thursday.
Asserting there will not be hung assembly in either Tripura, Nagaland or Meghalaya, as predicted in some exit polls, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said the NDA will form the government with an absolute majority in all the three northeastern states. Sarma, the NEDA convenor, said no NDA (National Democratic Alliance) partner will go into any alliance with either Congress or the Trinamool Congress. "There will be no hung assembly. The NDA will form the government in all the three states," he told reporters here. When asked about candidates for the chief minister's post in the three states, he said there will be a status quo in Tripura and Nagaland. "Tripura will have a BJP CM, while we are in a coalition government in Nagaland," the North East Democratic Alliance (NEDA) convenor said. For Meghalaya, the CM will be decided after considering the number of states won by the BJP. Elections were held in Tripura on February 16, and in Nagaland and Meghalaya on Febru
Over 200 shops were gutted as a massive fire broke out at the Mao Market in Nagaland's capital Kohima on Monday evening, police said. The fire was first spotted around 5 pm on the ground floor of the three-storeyed building, they said. As the building housed structures made of wood, the fire spread fast, they added. Locals alleged that the fire services failed to arrive in time, further aggravating the situation. Around 20 fire tenders from across Kohima, including those of the Assam Rifles, and engines from Khuzama and Chumoukedima were brought in to fight the blaze, which is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit, police said. The fire was brought under control after more than two hours, they said. The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, they said, adding that no casualty has been reported. The fire ravaged properties worth crores of rupees, officials said, stating that a final estimation is awaited. The market housed a variety of shops --
Voting for the Meghalaya and Nagaland Assembly polls went off peacefully on Monday, the Election Commission (EC) said, adding that there was no demand for a re-poll from the two northeastern states. While both states have 60 Assembly seats, polling was held on 59 seats each, the EC pointed out. Polling for the Sohiong seat in Meghalaya was adjourned due to the death of one of the candidates. Since the Akuluto seat in Nagaland remained uncontested with only one candidate, no election was required there. "Polling across 3,419 polling stations in Meghalaya and 2,291 in Nagaland went off peacefully today.... Advance planning and extensive monitoring by the commission led by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar...ensured smooth conduct of elections in the two states with no re-poll reported in any of the 5,710 polling stations," the EC said. In 2018, 11 re-polls were held in Nagaland and one was held in Meghalaya. Polling was also held in the Erode (East) Assembly seat in Tamil Nadu
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Exit polls predict big win for BJP and allies in Tripura, Nagaland and close race in the state of Meghalaya
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
A largely peaceful voting in the assembly polls with a turnout of over 73.65 per cent was reported from Nagaland, which was earlier a hotbed for militants, till 3 pm on Monday, an official said. However, stone pelting and blank firing caused tension in the Bhandari assembly constituency in Wokha district. A tenuous ceasefire prevails in the state for more than a decade now as peace talks are continuing with NSCN (IM) and other groups and the central government. Voting began at 7 am with over 13 lakh electors set to decide the electoral fate of 183 candidates. Long queues were seen in front of polling stations since 7 am when voting began. Polling percentage is 73.65 till 3 pm. Voting is peaceful as of now, barring a few incidents, the Election Commission official said. The nominees are contesting in 59 out of 60 assembly seats, as the Akuluto seat in Zunheboto district was won uncontested by BJP candidate and sitting MLA Kazheto Kinimi. Voting is scheduled to end at 4 pm, while .
The Union government has been holding separate talks with the NSCN-IM and the Working Committee of NNPGs since 1997 and 2017 respectively
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. Polling began in 59 of 60 assembly constituencies in Meghalaya at 7 am on Monday with voters set to seal the electoral fate of 369 candidates. Voting for the Nagaland Assembly polls also began at 7 am, with electors set to decide the electoral fate of 183 candidates.
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." The counting of votes in the two states besides Tripura is scheduled on March 2.
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
The voting for Nagaland Assembly elections for 59 seats is to be held today in a single phase, deciding the fate of 183 candidates
One polling personnel was killed and 12 others were injured when the vehicle in which they were travelling met with an accident near Thillong bridge in Doyang. The polling officials were on their way to Sungro for election duty in the Sungro sector of the Sanis Assembly constituency, according to officials.The apparent cause of the accident seems to be a mechanical failure. The injured people have been transported to the District Hospital Wokha.A new team of polling personnel along with polling materials/machinery from the reserve polling personnel have been dispatched from the Wokha headquarters.EVM machines will be replaced from the reserve if required, said Deputy Commissioner & District Election Officer, Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan.Nagaland along with Meghalaya is scheduled to go for polls on Monday, February 27.
The stage is set for assembly polls in Nagaland, where over 13 lakh voters will decide the electoral fate of 183 candidates contesting in 59 out of a total of 60 seats on Monday. The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and the BJP are contesting the polls on a 40:20 seat-sharing basis. The Congress, which ruled the state till 2003 and does not have any member in the current House, has fielded 23 aspirants. Polling will be held from 7 am to 4 pm, while counting of votes will be taken up on March 2. The Akuluto seat in Zunheboto district was won uncontested by BJP nominee and sitting MLA Kazheto Kinimi. The NDPP had allied with the BJP and formed government in the northeastern state in 2018, with backing from the JD(U) and an Independent. In 2021, the Naga People's Front (NPF) joined the ruling NDPP-led alliance to form an all-party government named United Democratic Alliance (UDA). The NDPP-BJP combine is seeking a mandate for the second term, with Neiphiu Rio as
Earlier, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) had called for the boycott of the polls until its demands are met by the Centre
Nagaland will elect a new government on Monday, with the polling set to begin at 7 am amid tight security
The Election Commission, after scrutiny of all nomination papers, has found 22 of the 222 applications invalid in Nagaland, a senior official said. A total of 225 aspirants had filed papers for the February 27 elections, but three of them later withdrew from the contest, the official said. Four women are among the 200 candidates whose papers were found to be valid, he stated. At least 13 parties including the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Naga People's Front (NPF), the Congress, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the National People's Party (NPP), Janata Dal (United), Republican Party of India (Athawale), Nationalist Congress Party, Rising People's Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal and CPI have nominated candidates for the polls. More than 20 Independents are also in fray. Friday is the last of date for withdrawing nomination. Votes will be counted on March 2.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has stressed the need for people of the state to change their mindset that Naga women cannot be in decision-making bodies. The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), headed by Rio, has fielded two women candidates in Western Angami and Dimapur-III constituencies. Nagaland is yet to get a woman MLA in the 60-member House since it got statehood in 1963. The NDPP manifesto envisages gender equality, Rio said on Thursday. Altogether four women candidates have filed nominations for the February 27 elections. Besides the two NDPP nominees, the Congress and the BJP have put up women candidates in Tenning and Atoizu seats respectively. Women's representation is a contentious issue in Nagaland. In 2017, two persons were killed in clashes during bands called by tribal bodies opposed to Urban Local Body election. These organisations have been opposing the polls with 33 per cent reservation for women, stating that it infringes on the special righ