Kohima, April 9 Polling for the Koridang Assembly by-election in Nagaland began on Thursday amid heightened security, following recent election-related violence that has claimed one life.
Six candidates are contesting the assembly by-election necessitated by the death of the incumbent BJP MLA, Imkong L. Imchen (75), on November 11 last year.
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.
Election officials said that voting began at all 30 polling stations at 7 am and will continue until 4 pm. A total of 22,382 people, including 11,071 women, are eligible to exercise their franchise.
Of the total polling stations, 13 have been categorized as vulnerable and 17 as critical, where additional security personnel have been deployed, and surveillance has been intensified. Two polling booths have all-women staff.
Authorities said that elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful polling.
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 counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.