Nagaland Assembly Polls 2023: Voters To Decide Fate Of These Key Candidates And Constituencies Tomorrow

Nagaland Elections 2023: The state will go to polls on Monday to decide the fate of some key candidates and constituencies. Here is a list.

Key candidates in fray in the Nagaland assembly elections

Source : PTI | Twitter

Nagaland Assembly Elections: The elections in 2023 began with Tripura going to polls on Feb 16 and with the voting for the assembly polls in Nagaland and Meghalaya on Monday, the first batch of elections will conclude. Now, all eyes would be on March 2 when the votes polled will be counted to decide the fates of candidates and parties. 

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

According to ANI, 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. 

BJP is already one seat ahead of the rest in the state as the party candidate Kazheto Kinimi won from the Akuluto seat uncontested after the Congress candidate withdrew his candidature, reported ANI. 

As per the report, 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). 

Notably, only four of the 183 candidates in fray are women. In 14 assembly elections the state has gone through so far, it has never had a woman MLA. As per ANI, a total of 13,17,632 voters, out of which 6,61,489 are male electors, and 6,56,143 are female will exercise their franchise to decide the fate of political parties and to elect their representatives of the 60-member Nagaland Legislative Assembly. 

Here are the key candidates and constituencies that will be interesting to watch out for: 

Northen Angami - NDPP candidate and Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio will be contesting the polls from this seat. 

Tiyu - BJP candidate and Deputy Chief Minister Yanthungo Patton will try his luck from the seat of Tiyu in assembly polls. 

Peren - Two-time Chief Minister, TR Zeliang will be contesting the election as NDPP candidate from here. 

Alongtaki – Popular among youth with his style and approach over various issues, Nagaland BJP chief Temjen Imna Along will contest from Alongtaki seat. He will face only one opponent, J Lanu Longchar of JD(U) here. 

Ghaspani – Another hot seat in the polls, Ghaspani will witness a tough fight between BJP’s N Jacob Zhimomi and Akavi N Zhimomi of the Congress. 

Phek - NPF leader Kuzholuzo Nienu will be contesting from this seat. The NDPP has fielded Kupota Khesoh, Congress has given ticket to Zacilhu Ringa Vadeo. 

Dimapur-III - NDPP candidate Hekani Jakhalu is in the fray while the newbie Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has given ticket to Azheto Zhimomi from this seat. 

 As per ANI, the other major constituencies are Dimapur-I, Southern Angami l, Southern Angami I, Chozuba, Koridang, Koridang, Bhandari, Sanis, Zunheboto, Kohima, Western Angami, Longleng, and Seyochung Sitimi.