35 contestants in Nagaland to be elected uncontested

NEW DELHI, February 5: The Election Commission today confirmed reports that 35 candidates in the assembly polls in Nagaland, marred by boyco...

NEW DELHI, February 5: The Election Commission today confirmed reports that 35 candidates in the assembly polls in Nagaland, marred by boycott calls by non-Congress parties, would win their seats uncontested.

Giving this information, Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill said only one candidate had filed nomination papers in each of these constituencies. For the remaining 25 seats, there are 83 contestants, he said. There are in all 108 candidates for the 60 assembly seats while the lone Lok Sabha seat in the state is set to witness a triangular contest.

Asked about boycott calls by ultras and non-Congress parties demanding postponement of polls, Gill said, “We are going forward with our constitutional duty.” He said the commission would like to ensure complete participation by various parties in each state.

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Gill said the commission was neither concerned nor did it take note of political events in any part. The commissioner urged parties in Assam not to go ahead with their boycott call and ensure that“good people” were sent to represent them in the Lok Sabha. Gill said, “My strong advice is please don’t walk away from a democratic exercise which doesn’t come every day.”The Chief Election Commissioner said he had held constant parleys with the Union Home Ministry on steps needed to improve the law and order situation in the state.

The Chief Election Commissioner said he would be undertaking a three-day extensive tour of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh from tomorrow to review the security arrangements in the state to ensure “good, peaceful and fair elections.”

He said, “So far, we are confident that in the given situation and given resources, we can do it.” Asked whether the Bharatiya Janata Party had violated the model code of conduct by announcing in its manifesto that it would facilitate construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Gill said he had not yet seen the manifesto. “Let us read it first.” He said no party had so far sent its manifesto to the commission.