At least 268 candidates as on January 6
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 6
The number of town and municipal councils heeding to the call of the civil societies and tribal hohos to oppose the ULB election dwindled to a handful on Friday leaving only five-district headquarters standing opposed to the conduct of the civic election in principle.
Except for the district headquarters of Mokokchung, Kohima, Kiphire, Mon and Tuensang and a couple of sub-divisions namely Changtongya, Chumukedima, Medziphema and Pfutsero where there was nil nominations till January 6, the remaining 23 town and municipal councils out of the 32 in place paved way for candidates to file the nomination papers.
Overall, at least 113 candidates from the NPF, BJP and Independent filed nominations on Friday. On January 5, the total number of candidates who filed nominations from 15 towns was standing at 155. Adding today’s figure, at least 268 candidates have filed nominations so far. The number of candidates who reportedly filed nominations for the Longleng town council on Friday could not be confirmed.
From Dimapur, 18 more candidates including 5 women filed nominations on Friday. Out of these, 7 were from BJP and 11 Independent. From Zunheboto town- according to reports, 12 NPF candidates which include 8 males and 4 females filed nominations. The nominations could be filed only after a scuffle with the volunteers who were keeping a sentinel of the DCs office and party workers of a political party.
In Noklak, eight nominations including a female-7 from NPF and 1 Independent were registered.
While from Bhandari, 8 (eight) candidates –five men and three women from the BJP filed nomination. While there was nil nomination from Tuensang town, which collected 47 nomination forms, in Longkhim sub-division – two (2) candidates 1 from BJP and 1 Independent filed nomination. In Mangkolemba sub-division under Mokokchung district- 6 NPF candidates including one female filed nominations. In Aboi and Tobu subdivisions under Mon district, altogether 18 candidates which include 6 women filed nominations.
In Peren town, 8 NPF candidates filed nominations while from Tening, 9 NPF and from Jalukie 9 NPF and 4 Independents filed nominations. From Pungru sub-division under Kiphire district- 11 candidates (inclusive of 2 females) which include -8 NPF, 2 Independent and 1 BJP filed nominations.
Meanwhile, in Mokokchung, it was reported that the 9 candidates who were summoned by the Ao Senden on January 5 for going against their directives and filing nomination to contest in the Tuli Town Council did not respond to the summon.
Sources said the landowners of Tuli town were also not in agreement with the stand of the Ao Senden to boycott the ULB elections when other districts were filing nominations. In Pfutsero, for the second consecutive day, the Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) did not allow candidates to file nominations to the town council election. Candidates were frustrated that they were being singled out when Phek town and Chozuba had already filed nominations.
The last date for filing of nominations ends on Saturday.
