A last-minute rush saw more than 200 candidates filing their nominations on Wednesday for the February 27 Assembly election in Nagaland. At least 110 candidates submitted their papers in Meghalaya, taking the number of aspirants for a berth in the 60-member House to more than 400. Wednesday was the deadline for nominations.
“Some 240 candidates, including 22 yesterday [Tuesday], have filed their nominations. We are still compiling the list as reports from remote areas are yet to come,” Nagaland’s Chief Electoral Officer Abhijit Sinha told The Hindu from Kohima.
The parties contesing are the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF), the breakaway Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), the Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, the National People’s Party, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Janata Dal(U), the Lok Jan Shakti Party and the Aam Aadmi Party.
Frederick Roy Kharkongor, Chief Electoral Officer of Meghalaya, said his office was awaiting reports from a few constituencies in Garo Hills, the western half of the State.
Last count
“The total count as of now [7 p.m.] is 404. We are expecting a few more nominations,” Mr. Kharkongor said.
The election in Nagaland was in doubt after a core committee of tribal organisations, allegedly backed by militant groups, had announced a boycott call on January 29. They backed out after the Commission issued the notification.
In a complaint to the Commission, NPF general secretary N. Akho Leyri said NDPP chief Neiphiu Rio’s group had obstructed NPF candidate Chuphuo when he was on his way to filing his papers for the Northern Angami-II seat.
