Kohima, April 9 Nearly 20 per cent of the 22,382 voters exercised their franchise in the Koridang Assembly by-election in Nagaland in the first two hours of polling on Thursday, officials said.
The voting, which commenced at 7 am across all 30 polling stations, has so far been peaceful, they said.
The polling will continue until 4 pm.
Security has been significantly 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 the 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 ruling People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) has fielded BJP nominee Daochier I. Imchen, while the Congress candidate is T. Chalukumba Ao. The National People's Party (NPP) has nominated I. Abenjang, while the Independent candidates are Imchatoba Imchen, Imtiwapang, and Toshikaba.
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 measures. Two polling stations have been designated as all-women booths.
The counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.