NPF candidate Neichii-u Kuotsu won in Ward 11 (Chaara) of Chümoukedima Town Council. (DIPR Photo)
Morung Express News
Kohima | June 19
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) won two of the three town council wards that went to by-elections on June 16, while an Independent candidate secured the remaining seat, according to results declared by the State Election Commission, Nagaland, on June 19.
In Ward 11 (Chaara) of the Chümoukedima Town Council (CTC), NPF candidate Neichii-u Kuotsu defeated his nearest rival, Kezhangutuo Zhotso of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), by a margin of 90 votes. Kuotsu polled 326 votes (58.01% of the valid votes), while Zhotso secured 236 votes (41.99%). Of the 566 votes cast, four were declared invalid.
The counting of votes was conducted at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Chümoukedima, under the supervision of election officials in the presence of the Returning Officer (RO), Assistant Returning Officer (ARO), and representatives of the contesting candidates and parties. With the declaration of results, Kuotsu will take charge as the elected Councillor of Ward No. 11.
The NPF also emerged victorious in Ward 8 (Tsumang ‘B’) of the Wokha Town Council, where party candidate Ar. Aling Lotha won by a margin of 37 votes. Lotha bagged 296 valid votes (53.33%), defeating BJP’s Mhomo Humtsoe, who polled 259 votes (46.67%). A total of 565 votes were cast in this ward, with 10 rejected as invalid. The counting was conducted under the supervision of the Returning Officer, Wokha Town Council.
Following his victory, Lotha, an architect by profession, thanked the voters for reposing their faith in him and assured them of his sincere efforts for their welfare and the overall development of Wokha town. He said his professional expertise would be utilised for better planning and developmental initiatives, and he extended appreciation to his party leaders, supporters, and workers for their unwavering support.
Independent candidate Inaka Z Chishi defeated NPF’s G Shikavi Kiba in Ward 9 (Samba Ghoki) of the Atoizu Town Council, Zunheboto district. Chishi secured a victory by a margin of 17 votes, polling 102 valid votes (54.55%) against his opponent’s 85 votes (45.45%). Out of 188 votes cast, one was declared invalid. The counting took place at the District Civil Supply Office.
In the first round of counting, the NPF candidate secured 50 votes against the Independent’s 51, while in the second round, the NPF got 35 votes and the Independent received 51.
State Election Commissioner T. John Longkumer, IPS (Retd), congratulated the winning candidates and commended all election officials, security personnel, and the media for the smooth and successful completion of the electoral process.
Following the declaration of results, the Model Code of Conduct, which was in force since the notification of the election programme, ceased to be in effect from midnight of June 19.
All three by-elections were held on June 16, and the counting process was completed smoothly on June 19.
