Kohima, April 8 Security has been tightened for the by-election to the Koridang Assembly seat in Nagaland's Mokokchung district, with a nighttime curfew in place in four villages following election-related violence that claimed one life.
Six candidates are contesting Thursday's assembly by-election, necessitated by the death of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen (75) on November 11.
The BJP, which is part of the ruling People's Democratic Alliance (PDA), has fielded the deceased MLA's son, Daochier I. Imchen, while the Congress has nominated T. Chalukumba Ao. The NPP candidate is I. Abenjang, and the independent candidates are Imchatoba Imchen, Imtiwapang, and Toshikaba.
The assembly constituency has 22,382 electors, including 11,311 men and 11,071 women, returning officer for the by-election, Nockpai Konyak, told
A total of 30 polling stations have been set up for the by-election, of which 13 have been identified as vulnerable and 17 as critical. Two polling stations will be managed by all-women staff, he said.
Security has been significantly increased across the constituency, with authorities maintaining round-the-clock monitoring in view of the violence reported on April 5 and 6, Konyak said.
As part of preventive measures, a nighttime curfew remains in effect in four villages – Chungtia, Alichen, Longkhum, and Mangmetong. The official said no further incidents of violence have been reported from the area.
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.
