From Bhadra Gogoi
Dimapur, Nov 10: Ruling People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) consensus candidate Medo Yhokha of Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) won the byelection to 14 Southern Angami-I Assembly constituency in Kohima district while in the bypoll to 60 Pungro-Kiphire seat in Kiphire district, Independent candidate T Yangseo Sangtam emerged winner. The results of the bypolls, held on November 3, were declared on Tuesday.
An update from the election office after the fifth and final round of counting in Southern Angami seat said Yhokha defeated his nearest rival Independent candidate Seyievilie Peter Zashumo by a margin of 615 votes. Yhokha polled 4721 votes while the latter Zashumo got 4106 votes..
In the three-cornered contest in the seat, Opposition Naga People’s Front (NPF) candidate Kikovi Kirha came third with 2565 votes. Eighty-eight electorate opted for NOTA (None of the Above) among the 13,541 voters in the constituency.
In a blow to PDA alliance partner BJP in the Pungro Kiphire constituency, Sangtam emerged winner by defeating his nearest Independent rival S Kiusumew Yimchunger by 1416 votes. Sangtam polled 8572 votes while Yimchunger garnered 7156 votes.
PDA’s consensus candidate of BJP Lirimong Sangtam came a distant third by polling 5506 votes. Five candidates were in the fray for the bypoll in Pungro-Kiphire seat.
Another Independent candidate Shellumthong Yimchunger polled 5344 votes while Congress’s Khaseo Anar got 343 votes.
Altogether 92 voters opted for NOTA among the 29,346 electors in the constituency.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated Yhokha on winning the Southern Angami seat.
“Heartiest congratulations to NDPP candidate Medo Yhokha on winning 14 Southern Angami 1 by-election. I wish you all the best in serving the people of Nagaland,” Rio tweeted after the results were declared.
The bypolls were necessitated after the deaths of Southern Angami-I constituency legislator of NDPP Vikho-o Yhoshü and Pungro-Kiphire constituency MLA of NPF T. Torechu last year.
