last-min-rallies-mark-end-of-campaigns-for-ls-northeastern-states-in-northeastern-states

Campaigning for Lok Sabha elections 2024 in Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram drew to a close on Wednesday, marking the culmination of fervent political activity in the Northeastern states.

 

In Nagaland, where a three-cornered contest is expected, Chief Electoral Officer Vyasan R issued a notification, prohibiting any public meetings or processions related to the elections after 4 PM on Wednesday. Additionally, the display of election-related content using any media apparatus was also restricted. 

 

Contesting for the lone Nagaland seat are Congress nominee S Supongmeren Jamir, ruling NDPP's Dr. Chumben Murry, and Independent candidate Hayithung Tungoe Lotha.

 

Throughout the campaign, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, BJP president JP Nadda, and Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Randeep Singh Surjewala addressed rallies in support of their respective candidates.

 

Tightened security arrangements have been put in place across Nagaland, with 13.17 lakh eligible voters gearing up to exercise their franchise.

 

Similarly, campaigning for the Tripura West Lok Sabha constituency and Ramnagar Assembly constituency by-poll concluded at 5 PM on Wednesday. Election department officials affirmed that all necessary arrangements, including security measures, had been made for the polling scheduled for April 19. 

 

Notable figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi infused energy into the campaign with their presence.

 

In Tripura, where nine candidates are vying for the West Lok Sabha constituency, the battle is anticipated to primarily unfold between BJP candidate Biplab Kumar Deb and state Congress president Asish Kumar Saha. 

 

With 14.61 lakh eligible voters, comprising 7.33 lakh males and 7.28 lakh females, preparations for the polling are in full swing.

 

Meanwhile, in Sikkim, the high-decibel campaign for 32 assembly seats and the lone Lok Sabha constituency concluded on Wednesday. 

 

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, leading the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM), concluded his campaigning in the Rhenock assembly constituency, seeking blessings at the Sai temple of Chalamthang before leading a car rally in the constituency. 

 

With voting scheduled for April 19, all eyes are on the electorate's verdict in the Himalayan state.

 

Campaigning for the April 19 simultaneous polls in Arunachal Pradesh came to end on Wednesday evening, setting the stage to elect two Lok Sabha MPs and 50 lawmakers for the state assembly.

 

While Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed a public rally at Namsai to seek votes for Arunachal East Lok Sabha candidate Tapir Gao, party’s president JP Nadda addressed a rally at Doimukh near here, seeking support from people for the western parliamentary constituency’s candidate Kiren Rijiju.

 

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his cabinet colleague Ashok Singhal had addressed several meetings in the state for BJP.

 

Though the opposition Congress had announced names of several star campaigners, nobody turned up for campaigning.

 

Campaigning for the lone Lok Sabha seat in Mizoram ended on Wednesday with political parties making last ditch efforts to woo voters.

 

The Lok Sabha elections are being held in seven phases, beginning on Friday. The votes will be counted on June 4.

 

Over 8.56 lakh electorate, including 4.4 lakh women voters, are eligible to exercise their franchise.

 

Election officials said there was no major law and order problems during the campaign.

 

"Campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections ended at 5pm on Wednesday and a 'silent period' will be observed till 5pm on Friday during which any form of electioneering, public meetings, press conferences by political parties, interviews and panel discussions in electronic or print media have been strictly prohibited," an official said.