Kohima, April 10 (NationPress) In the recent by-election for the Koridang Assembly constituency in Nagaland's Mokokchung district, an impressive 82.21 percent of the 22,390 eligible voters cast their votes, as reported by officials on Friday.

This turnout, however, is lower than the 88.06 percent recorded during the 2023 Assembly elections, which involved 21,740 voters.

Nagaland's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bhagyashree Banayat confirmed that the polling process took place without any hitches on Thursday, achieving a total turnout of 82.21 percent across all 30 polling stations.

Post-polling, the counted Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were securely stored in designated strong rooms. This storage was conducted in the presence of contesting candidates or their representatives, alongside Central Observers assigned by the Election Commission of India. The entire process was thoroughly videotaped in compliance with the Commission's established security protocols.

Banayat also noted that a comprehensive two-tier armed security system has been established for these strong rooms, including the deployment of at least one platoon of armed personnel.

Additionally, continuous CCTV surveillance is in place to ensure vigilant monitoring. Reserve EVMs and VVPATs are kept separately in reserve strong rooms, adhering to the same security measures mandated by the Election Commission.

All contesting candidates have been duly notified to appoint representatives to oversee the security arrangements of the strong rooms. Candidates and their delegates are allowed to stay outside the inner security perimeter to observe the arrangements, with live CCTV feeds of the strong rooms available for their review.

The counting of votes is set for May 4.

Meanwhile, the National People’s Party (NPP), under the leadership of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission, requesting a re-poll at the Alichen polling station. The NPP claims there were serious irregularities and intentional suppression of voter turnout in the Alichen cluster of polling stations.

The party highlighted a drastic and abnormal drop in voter turnout in Alichen, raising alarms about the integrity of the electoral process.

Official statistics reveal that only 1,323 votes were cast out of 3,310 registered voters in Alichen, leading to a turnout of about 39.9 percent. This indicates that nearly 60 percent of voters did not participate. In contrast, surrounding polling areas showcased significantly higher turnout rates, ranging from over 70 percent to as high as 99 percent, as noted by the party.

This by-election was necessitated by the passing of sitting MLA Imkong L. Imchen, who died on November 11, 2024, due to a brief illness at a private hospital in Guwahati. He was 75.

Six candidates are vying for the by-election. The BJP, part of the ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA), has nominated Daochier I. Imchen, the late legislator's son, as the consensus candidate of the alliance. Other prominent candidates include I. Abenjang from the National People’s Party (NPP) and T. Chalukumba Ao from Congress. Three Independent candidates — Imchatoba Imchen, Imtiwapang Kichu, and Major Toshikaba (Retd) — are also in the race, adding competitive tension to the contest.