Nagaland assembly elections: Over 38.68 per cent voter turnout recorded till 11 am

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Over 38.68 per cent voter turnout was recorded in Nagaland till 11 am, as polling began amid tight security on Monday, the Election Commission informed.

The ongoing polls would seal the electoral fates of 183 candidates across parties.

The highest voter turnout was recorded at 49.44 per cent, in the Pughoboto Assembly segment.

Earlier on Monday, Nagaland Chief Minister and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party candidate, Neiphiu Rio, cast his vote in the Kohima district.

Rio is contesting the Northern Angami-I seat in the Kohima district and is up against Congress's Seyievilie Chachu.

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Yanthungo Patton cast his vote at Riphyim Old III constituency.

The polling began in 59 Assembly constituencies at 7 am this morning amid tight security. The voting will conclude at 4 pm.

BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi had been declared winner uncontested from Zunheboto district's Akuluto constituency after his opponent from the Congress, N Khekashe Sumi, pulled out of the race on the last day for withdrawal of nominations, which was February 10.

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The BJP is contesting in alliance with the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), its old alliance partner in the 2018 Assembly polls as well.

The BJP is, however, a junior partner in the alliance, having agreed to a seat-sharing ratio of 20:40 in the state. The Congress and Naga People's Front are contesting in 23 and 22 seats respectively. The CPI is contesting on 1, NCP on 12, NPP 12, RPP 1, JD(U) 7, LJP (Ram Vilas) 15, RPI (Athawale) 9, RJD 3, and Independents 19 seats.

The party had forged an alliance with the NDPP in 2018 and had successfully formed an alliance government with the backing of Janata Dal (United) and an Independent. The BJP had won 12 seats while NDPP had registered a win on the 17 seats, while the JD(U) clinched 1 seat.

There are a total of 13,17,632 electorate in Nagaland, of which 6,61,489 are men and 6,56,143 are women.

A total of 2,351 polling stations have been set up in the state.

According to the Election Commission, 305 companies from various security forces have been deployed at the polling stations across the state to ensure a smooth and fair voting process.

The counting of votes will take place on March 2 along with Tripura and Meghalaya.

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