SHILLONG/KOHIMA, Feb 23 – Battle lines have been drawn for tomorrow’s poll to the 60-member assemblies of Meghalaya and Nagaland.
In Meghalaya, altogether 15,03,907 lakh voters would exercise their franchise and elect from amongst 345 candidates, their representatives in the 9th Assembly.
There are 759,608 women voters in the State. Of the 2,485 polling booths in the State, 900 have been classified as “hyper sensitive” and another 900 polling stations as “sensitive” by the State Election Department.
In Khasi-Jaintia Hills, a 36-hour bandh called by the Hyyniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) came into effect from this evening. However, the district administration has arranged public transport for the voters.
Ninety-one companies of additional paramilitary troopers have been deployed across the State and the Government has assured full security. The State’s international border with Bangladesh has also been put on high alert.
In Nagaland, an 11.93 lakh electorate will decide the 60-member House from among the 188 candidates.
PTI adds: Prominent candidates whose fate will be decided are Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio from Northern Angami II, Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie from Western Angami, Opposition Leader Tokheho Yepthomi from Dimapur III, Congress president SI Jamir from Dimapur II and former Home Minister Imkong L Imchen from Koridang.
There are 39 Independents and two women among the contestants.
Of the two women nominees, Rakhila has been fielded by the BJP from Tuensang Sadar-II and Dr Yangerla, an Independent is contesting from Mokokchung Town.
The ruling Naga People’s Front is the only party contesting all the 60 seats.
The opposition Congress is contesting 57 seats, followed by NCP in 15, BJP in 11, JD-U in three, RJD in two and the United Nagaland Democratic Party in one.
Of the 2,023 polling stations, 821 have been identified as sensitive and 662 as hyper sensitive.
Assembly bypoll in Mizoram today
AIZAWL, Feb 23 – The fate of seven candidates will be decided in the by-election to the Chalfilh Assembly constituency in Mizoram’s Aizawl district today.
Lalvenhima Hmar of the MNF, whose Peoples Conference party, the breakaway group of the MPC merged with the MNF, might emerge a dark horse if the Hmar community, comprising at least one-third of the voters in the constituency decided to support him.
Otherwise, the majority support would be in favour of the ruling Congress with its promise to give financial assistance upto Rs 1 lakh to beneficiaries.
The seat has an electorate of 17,054. The constituency borders Manipur’s Churachanpur district and 13 polling stations out of 29, most of them on the extreme border area have been identified as ‘sensitive’.
The last election held in 2008 saw the return of Congress as the late Chawngtinthanga defeated Lalvenhima Hmar of the MPC. – PTI
The MNF, even when in power had never won from the constituency except when in alliance with the MPC. The MPC nominee H Laltanpuia won by 526 votes in 1998 defeating Vanlalngena of Congress. – PTI
~ Assam Tribune
