Kohima, April 9 More than 59 per cent of the 22,382 voters exercised their franchise in the Koridang assembly by-election in Nagaland by 1 pm on Thursday, officials said.
The voting, which began at 7 am across all 30 polling stations, has so far been peaceful, they said.
The voting will continue until 4 pm.
"The voter turnout was 59.52 per cent by 1 pm. The polling has been peaceful," an Election Commission official said.
Security has been tightened across the constituency following violence on April 5 and 6, in which one person died and several vehicles were damaged.
The by-election was necessitated by the death of sitting BJP MLA Imkong L. Imchen in November last year.
A total of 22,382 electors, including 11,071 women, are eligible to decide the fate of six candidates in the fray.
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 for the seat. The NPP candidate is I Abenjang, and the Independents are Imchatoba Imchen, Imtiwapang, and Toshikaba.
All the candidates have exercised their franchise at the respective polling stations in the first hour of polling, the officials said.
Of the 30 polling stations, 13 have been categorized as vulnerable and 17 as critical, prompting the deployment of additional security personnel and intensified surveillance. Two polling stations have been designated as all-women booths.
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.