Meghalaya Nagaland Elections: Voting has begun in the northeastern states of Meghalaya and Nagaland on Monday. A tough political contest is on cards with multiple parties trying their luck in the crucial first set of assembly polls in 2023.


Here Are Some Facts Of The Elections



  • The polling is being held on 59 seats of the 60 seats in both states. In Nagaland, BJP candidate Kazheto Kinimi from Akuluto won unopposed while in Meghalaya, the election to Sohiong was deferred after the demise of former minister and UDP candidate HDR Lyngdoh.


 



  • In Meghalaya, a multi-cornered battle will be witnessed with BJP, Congress, CM Conrad Sangma's NPP (National People's Party) and TMC giving tough times to each other.


 



  • BJP is contesting on all the seats in Meghalaya alone this time after a rift with old ally NPP over corruption allegations.


 



  • BJP in its election manifesto for Meghalaya promised implementation of the 7th Pay Commission in the state and the timely disbursal of salaries of the government employees.


 



  • In Nagaland, while BJP and Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) is looking to retain power, the opposition is aiming to dethrone the incumbent government from the state. 


 



  • The BJP and NDPP are contesting the elections on a 20:40 seat-sharing arrangement while the Naga People's Front (NPF) and Congress are contesting in 22 and 23 seats respectively. 


 



  • The candidates vying for the State polls include 20 from BJP, CPI (1), INC (23), NCP (12), NPP (12), NDPP (40), NPF (22), RPP (1), JD (U) (7), LJP (Ram Vilas) (15), RPI (Athawale) (9), RJD (3), and Independent (19). 


 



  • A total of 183 candidates are in the fray in Nagaland including four women.


 



  • The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in its manifesto for the Nagaland assembly elections promised a special package for the eastern part of the state if the party returns to power for the second time in a row.


 



  • The party has also committed to establishing an Eastern Nagaland Development Board for the holistic development of the region. It also assured to expedite the construction of the Trans-Nagaland Highway. 


 



  • Results of the Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland elections will be declared on March 2.