Northeast Desk, 5th April: Nagaland Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Vyasan R has affirmed that comprehensive preparations are underway to ensure free and fair elections and provide equal opportunities to all candidates vying for the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state.
Scheduled for April 19, the election will witness three candidates competing for the seat: S Supongmeren Jamir from Congress, Chumben Murry from the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), and Independent candidate Hayithung Tungoe Lotha.
CEO Vyasan emphasized the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) commitment to conducting a transparent election process. With over 13 lakh electorates, including approximately 19,000 first-time voters, the state is gearing up for a significant democratic exercise.
Nagaland boasts more female electors than male, with 6,60,807 female voters and 6,56,729 male voters. Additionally, there are 22,140 senior citizens above 85 years of age, 6,688 Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and 7,847 service voters.
To encourage voter turnout, various awareness campaigns, including football camps, radio jingles, and video appeals, have been launched. The Election Office, in collaboration with the ECI and the Office of the Returning Officer, is ensuring a level playing field for all candidates and political parties.
Approximately 170 to 180 polling parties will be deployed across 2,342 polling stations, with around 750 stations categorized as critical. Notably, special arrangements have been made for senior citizens and PwDs to cast their votes through postal ballots from the comfort of their homes.
Regarding concerns raised by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) about abstaining from the polls, CEO Vyasan stated that polling stations will be set up in the ENPO area, leaving the decision to voters.
IGP (Range) Limasunep Jamir, the State Police Nodal Officer for Lok Sabha elections, assured heightened security measures to prevent poll-related violence. With the deployment of 48 companies of Central Armed Police Force sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs, efforts are focused on maintaining peace and facilitating a smooth electoral process. As of now, 588 polling stations have been identified as critical and vulnerable, with security arrangements in place to ensure the safety of voters and election personnel alike.
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