Model Code of Conduct comes into force
New Delhi, October 9 (MExN): The bye-election to fill the vacancy created in the 43-Tapi Assembly Constituency (AC) under Mon district of Nagaland will be held on November 7, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Monday.
The bye-electionis necessitated due to the passing of Noke Wangnao on August 28, who had been representing the constituency since 1974 and was serving as the Advisor for Social Welfare, Nagaland. At the time of his passing, the 87-year-old veteran politician was the oldest serving member of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA).
According to an official release from the ECI, the poll will be held on November 7, with the declaration of results on December 3.
The official Gazette Notification for the bye-election will be issued on October 13, and the last date for making nominations is October 20, as per the release. The date for scrutiny of nominations is October 21, and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is October 23.
In the meantime, the ECI has reported that the electoral rolls for the 43-Tapi AC were finally published on January 5, with reference to January 1, 2023, as the qualifying date. Supplements of subsequent qualifying dates on April 1, July 1, and October 1, updated until the last date of making nominations, will be used for the election, it said.
The Commission has decided to employ Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs in all polling stations, ensuring an adequate number of machines and taking necessary measures to ensure a smooth conduct of the poll, the ECI stated.
The Model Code of Conduct will come into force with immediate effect in the district(s) in which the whole or any part of the AC going for the election is included, it added.
It must be noted here that the 43-Tapi AC witnessed a four-way contest during the election to the 14th NLA held on February 27, involving the Janata Dal (United), Naga Peoples Front, Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, and National People's Party.
Late Wangnao emerged as the winner with 5864 votes, securing 40.14% of the total 14608 votes cast in the constituency, as per the data available on ECI's poll results portal.
As per the Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland, there are 20 polling stations in the 43-Tapi AC.
