Nagaland Elections 2023: 200 Nominations Out Of 222 Filed Are Valid, Says EC

At least 13 parties, including ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, the BJP, NPF, and Congress, have nominated candidates for the polls.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio presents a Naga Shawl to Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the inauguration of various projects in Nagaland at Chumukedima, Nagaland, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023 ( Image Source :PTI )

The Election Commission, after scrutiny of all nomination papers, has found 22 of the 222 applications invalid in Nagaland, news agency PTI quoted a senior official as saying. A total of 225 aspirants had filed papers for the February 27 elections, but three of them later withdrew from the contest, the official said. Four women are among the 200 candidates whose papers were found to be valid, he stated.

At least 13 parties for the election, including the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Naga People's Front (NPF), the Congress, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), the National People's Party (NPP), Janata Dal (United), Republican Party of India (Athawale), the Nationalist Congress Party, Rising People's Party, have put forth their candidates.

The NDPP and the BJP are contesting on a 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement in their bid to return to power for the second time in a row in the northeastern state. 

The NDPP has nominated Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio to run for the Northern Angami-II seat in the Kohima district.

Additionally, former chief minister TR Zeliang (NDPP), BJP state president Temjen Imna Along, and deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton (BJP) were among the candidates who filed their nomination papers on Monday.

More than 20 Independents are also in fray.

Friday is the last of date for withdrawing nomination. Votes will be counted on March 2.

Meanwhile, enforcement agencies have seized over Rs 31 crores in Nagaland since the announcement of the dates for state assembly elections till February 7, the state Chief Electoral Officer said on Wednesday.

"Monetary value of the progressive seizure made by the various enforcement agencies both central and state from the date of announcement till the February 3 is Rs 31,03,03,137," CEO Office said in a statement.

The Election Commission of India had announced the date for the elections in the state along with two other eastern states- Meghalaya and Tripura on January 18.

(With inputs from ANI)