75 pc turnout in Nagaland

Barring stray incidents of clashes, intimidation and proxy voting, polling in Nagaland remained by and large peaceful recording an estimated 70 to 75 per cent of voters turnout.

An estimated 70 to 75 per cent of voters turned out on Wednesday to exercise their franchise in the election to the lone parliamentary seat in Nagaland which passed off by and large peacefully barring stray incidents of minor scuffles among supporters of political parties and large-scale proxy voting by young voters.

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Reports received from different districts said that in certain rural assembly segments over 90 per cent voter turnout was recorded at the end of the day while Kohima district registered the lowest turnout between 60 and 65 per cent.

Although no report of major incident was received from any part of the state during the day, Electronic Voting Machines were damaged in the Tuyi assembly segment in Wokha district and Chozuba in Phek district, the officials said adding that the machines were immediately replaced and voting recommenced smoothly.

Phek administration issued an arrest warrant against a school teacher who allegedly damaged an EVM at Chozuba during the morning hours, officials said.

Another EVM at Mongsenyimti at Mokokchung village had to be replaced after supporters of rival political parties found fault with it.

There were also reports of minor scuffles and clashes among supporters of political parties in different parts of the state, but no report of any injury was received here.

Although there are five candidates in the fray, the electoral battle was mainly confined between the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland consensus candidate, Wangyuh Konyak, and Congress' K Asungba Sangtam.