Nagaland by-poll: 88% voters exercise franchise

Around 87.53% voters exercised their franchise in the by-election to Northern Angami-two Assembly constituency in Kohima district on Wednesday. The bypoll was held peacefully, Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland Sentiyanger Imchen told reporters.

Imchen said that repoll would be recommended tomorrow if anomalies were detected after scrutiny of documents of presiding officers and sector magistrates. The by-election was a straight contest between the ruling Nagaland Peoples's Front candidate Dr Neiphrezo Keditsu and BJP candidate Visasolie Lhoungu, both of them first-timers.

Seven companies of security personnel, including four central para-military forces and three companies of Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB-NAP) were deployed for the by-poll. The bypoll became a prestige issue for the ruling NPF as the seat had been continuously held for five terms by three-time Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio from 1989 till May 2014.

The seat fell vacant following Neiphiu Rio's win in the Lok Sabha election in May, this year. Counting of votes will be taken up on October 20.