Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Moderate to brisk turnout in Nagaland

Moderate to brisk turnout was reported, amidst stray incidents of violence, in the first three hours of polling in the Nagaland assembly elections for its 60-member house, election office in Kohima said.

Despite chilly weather and rains in the morning, a large number of voters were seen queuing before polling stations throughout the state to seal the fate of 218 candidates.

Minor incidents of clashes, chasing of voters, snatching of electronic voting machines (EVMs) were reported from Mokukchung, Zunheboto and Okha districts, police said.

Situation in all these areas were brought under control, they said, adding that the overall situation was peaceful in the state that went into polls under President's Rule.

Voting at some polling booths in Zunheboto district could not be held till 11 am due to non-arrival of polling officials because of shortage of vehicles.

Officials said the returning officer had been asked to file detail reports as to why polling could not be arranged in those remote areas.

In certain polling stations in remote villages, the exercise got delayed by an hour due to technical and logistic problems, district administration officials said.

Reports of disturbances and damage of EVMs were received from two polling stations under Koridang assembly segment in Mokokchung district, which was marred by large-scale pre-poll violence. Polling resumed with replacement of EVMs and additional deployment of security personnel.

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