April 9 By-Election: Koridang Assembly Seat Faces Competitive Race
Synopsis
The Koridang Assembly constituency in Nagaland is gearing up for a fiercely contested by-election on April 9, with candidates from major political parties already in place. The stakes are high as the seat has been a stronghold for over 25 years.
Key Takeaways
Multi-party contest: Several political parties are contesting for the Koridang seat.
Candidates announced: Major parties have named their candidates.
Voter demographics: 22,390 voters eligible, including over 11,000 women.
Historical context: The seat has a legacy tied to Imkong L.
Election timeline: Nominations open until March 23, with results on May 4.
Kohima, March 21 (NationPress) The upcoming by-election for the Koridang Assembly constituency in Mokokchung district of Nagaland, scheduled for April 9, is shaping up to be a multi-faceted electoral battle, as prominent political parties have introduced their candidates.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alongside its ally the National People's Party (NPP), has already declared its nominee, and now the Congress has also put forth its candidate for this significant Assembly seat.
Congress General Secretary (Organisation), K.C. Venugopal, confirmed that party President Mallikarjun Kharge has endorsed T. Chalukumba AO as the official candidate for the forthcoming by-election in the Koridang Assembly, which is designated for Scheduled Tribes.
This by-election was prompted by the passing of Imkong L. Imchen, who died on November 11, 2024, in a private hospital in Guwahati following a brief illness at the age of 75.
Imchen had a long-standing history in the Nagaland Assembly, having been elected five times from the Koridang constituency—initially as an Independent in 2003, then on Naga People's Front (NPF) tickets in 2008, 2013, and 2018, and most recently as a BJP candidate in 2023.
Previously, BJP General Secretary Arun Singh declared that Daochier I. Imchen, the late MLA's son, would be the party's candidate for this pivotal by-election, marking his first entry into the electoral arena.
The Koridang seat has been held by the esteemed Naga leader Imkong L. Imchen for over 25 years.
The NPP, under the leadership of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, has nominated I. Abenjang for the contest.
Additionally, several smaller local parties are anticipated to participate, increasing the competition for the Koridang Assembly seat.
In the previous Assembly elections of 2023, NPF candidate Major Toshikaba (retired) contested from Koridang but was narrowly defeated by BJP candidate Imkong L. Imchen by a margin of just 276 votes.
As per the election authority's notification in Nagaland, the nomination process commenced on March 16, with the final date for submission on March 23.
Nominations will be scrutinized on March 24, and the last date to withdraw candidatures is March 26.
The election results are expected to be announced on May 4.
There are 22,390 voters registered, including 11,013 women, eligible to cast their votes in the Koridang Assembly constituency.
Point of View
The Koridang by-election represents not only a significant political event for Nagaland but also a reflection of broader regional dynamics. The competition among established parties and new candidates highlights the evolving political landscape in the state.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Koridang by-election being held?
The by-election is necessitated by the death of the long-serving MLA, Imkong L. Imchen.
Who are the main candidates for the Koridang seat?
The candidates include Daochier I. Imchen from the BJP, T. Chalukumba AO from the Congress, and I. Abenjang from the NPP.
When will the results of the by-election be announced?
The results will be declared on May 4.
How many voters are eligible to vote in Koridang?
There are a total of 22,390 eligible voters, including 11,013 women.
What is the significance of the Koridang constituency?
The Koridang constituency has been historically significant, being represented by Imkong L. Imchen for over 25 years.
