Mokokchung, Nagaland, June 12 (HBTV): The nomination process for the forthcoming Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) election in Mokokchung district concluded on June 11, with a total of 89 candidates filing their nominations for 47 seats.      

Among the candidates are 31 women; two are contesting from the general category: one for the Mokokchung Municipal Council from Majakong (Congress) and one for the Mangkolemba Town Council (Ward 9; Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party [NDPP]). 

Out of the 89 candidates, 13 are unopposed, leaving 76 candidates in contention. Specifically for the MMC, 35 candidates have filed nominations: 24 men and 11 women representing 18 wards. The NDPP has secured four uncontested victories in the MMC from Alempang, Aongza, Dilong, and Penli wards.  

In the Changtongya Town Council, 22 candidates have filed for nominations to 11 seats, with eight women vying for four reserved seats. The NDPP has nine candidates, two of whom are uncontested from Longpangtsung and Antsutzubo Wards. Independents are prominent with 12 candidates, while Congress has only one candidate from Longchara Ward.  

For the Tuli Town Council, 12 candidates are contesting in nine seats, including four women in three reserved seats. There are six uncontested victories: Congress has three, NDPP has two, and the Bharatiya Janata Party has one.       

Straight contests will take place in three wards: Tulikong (Reserved); Lukongmendang, and Shitikolak.

In the Mangkolemba Town Council, 20 candidates from nine wards include seven women running from designated seats in Wards 1, 4, and 7. An independent candidate from Luyong Ward six is uncontested. The 20 contenders comprise eight from the NDPP, one from the INC, and 11 independents. 

The scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 13. The last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 20. Any re-polls will be conducted on June 28, with the counting of votes and declaration of results scheduled for June 29. 

A total of 40,273 voters will decide the fate of the 76 ULB aspirants on June 26. The voter’s distribution: MMC (25,636), Mangkolemba (2,803), Changtongya (6,444), and Tuli (5,390).