Nagaland: Re-poll to be held in Kiphire's Singrep poll station-11

Kohima: Following a complaint from 60 Pungro-Kiphire AC, Nagaland chief electoral officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha informed that there will be a re-poll in polling station-11 at Singrep village.

The CEO told reporters that based on an early complaint received from Polling station number 11 at Singrep village under Pungro-Kiphire Constituency, the presiding officer adjourned the poll.

He informed that due to “commotion created by some groups outside the polling station” leading to a “disturbance of peace”, it was not possible for the polling parties to conduct a free and fair poll. He added that there were instances of stone-pelting outside the polling stations.

Following this incident, the presiding officer decided to adjourn the poll. The incident took place after 21 electors managed to cast their votes at the polling station.

Subsequently, a report from the returning officer (RO) was received, and the report will further be submitted to the election commission, he informed.

He further informed that the date for “fresh poll” at the polling station-11 at Singrep village under Pungro-Kiphire constituency will shortly be notified.

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The CEO also informed that during the day, another complaint was received from 14 Southern Angami-I Assembly constituency regarding “voters [were] not being allowed” in some polling stations in Jakhama village.

On receiving the information, he said that the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Superintendent of Police (SP) and election observers also visited the polling station.

“They looked into the situation, and everything was normalized there. When they reached, everything was found to be normal also,” he said. Although these were the two complaints that were received, he said that “by and large, the polling in the two constituencies have been peaceful”.

Regarding reports of MLAs visiting polling stations, Sinha said that so far only one MLA was reported to have visited a polling station at Jakhama. Although no mention of if the act was a violation of the model code of conduct (MCC), he said that after the completion of the election campaign period, “no sort of campaigning or visit should be made”.

The deputy commissioner and the returning officer will be looking into the complaints. The CEO further said that any complaints in regard to the by-election can also be submitted during the time of scrutiny, which is to be held on Wednesday.