NDPP retained the 14 Southern Angami-I seat when PDA consensus candidate Medo Yhokha (NDPP) won the seat by defeating his nearest Independent rival; while in 60 Pungro-Kiphire by-poll, Independent T. Yangseo Sangtam defeated his nearest Independent rival in a five-cornered contest. The by-polls were held on November 3.
In the 14 Southern Angami-I by-poll, Yhokha, who was the PRO of then sitting NDPP MLA and NLA Speaker Vikho-o Yhoshu, defeated his nearest Independent rival Seyievilie Peter Zhashumo by a margin of 598 votes.
Out of the total 11,649 votes polled in a three-cornered contest, Yokha polled 4,773 votes while Zhashumo polled 4,175 and NPF candidate Kikovi Kirha polled 2,575 votes. Also, 131 postal ballots were cast and 88 opted NOTA, while 38 postal votes were rejected.
Meanwhile, speaking to media persons after winning the by-poll, Yhokha thanked God and his supporters for the victory and assured to fulfil the commitments made during his campaign.
In the 60 Pungro-Kiphire, Independent candidate T. Yangseo Sangtam won the seat in a five-cornered contest by defeating his nearest Independent rival S. Kiusumew Yimchunger, by a margin of 1,527 votes. The BJP which contested in alliance under PDA, managed third place.
Yangseo polled 8,747 votes and S Kiusumew Yimchunger came second with 7,220 votes while BJP’s Lirimong Sangtam (PDA consensus candidate) came third with 5,664 votes. In fourth place, another Independent candidate, K. Shellumthong Yimchunger polled 5,388 votes while Khaseo Anar of the Congress was fifth place with 347 votes. The seat was a Congress bastion turned regional under NPF.
The seat fell vacant after the demise of then sitting MLA Torechu of NPF. However NPF did not set up any candidate for the by-poll. A total of 27,460 votes were cast out of which 94 were NOTA and 447 postal ballots, while 11 postal votes were rejected.
By-poll process over: CEO: Addressing a press conference in Kohima Tuesday, chief electoral officer (CEO) Abhijit Sinha informed that with the announcement of the results, the by-elections process had come to an end.
CM, Dy.CM, others fete
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio has extended heartiest congratulations to NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha on winning the 14 Southern Angami-I assembly constituency by-election. “I wish you all the best in serving the people of Nagaland,” Rio said in a tweet.
Dy.CM: Deputy chief minister and state BJP legislature party leader Y Patton has also congratulated Medo Yhokha from 14 Southern Angami-I A/C and Yanseo Sangtam from 60 Pungro-Kiphire A/C on their victory in the recently concluded by-elections.
In a statement, Patton said it was encouraging to see the younger generation taking interest in state politics. He expressed hope that arising of new generation leadership in state would pave the way for a positive change. Patton further hoped that they would fulfil the aspirations of the electorate and to their constituency and state in general.
State NPP unit: National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland state unit has congratulated Medo Yhokha, NDPP and T Yangseo Sangtam, Independent Candidate on winning the recently concluded by-polls.
In a congratulatory note, NPP state unit president Dr. Andrew Ahoto Sema and general secretary (org.) Limanuksung Longkumer, on behalf of the party rank and file, expressed hope that both the candidates would bring about a new era of people’s representation in Nagaland and be trendsetters and exemplary for all the political parties and the people of Nagaland.