A first time voter in the remote eastern region of Nagaland, hoped that the new government will bring “change” as the state votes today to choose 59 candidates who will represent them in the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Standing under the scorching sun on a clear day in Noklak, Kongkhao from 56 Noklak Assembly Constituency, told Nagaland Tribune that he had been in the queue to cast his vote since morning. Many voters in the serpentine line had been at the Polling Station since Sunday night, he said while admitting that they were all tired but hoped that it will go well.
Along with change, young Kongkhao wants the government to also solve the unemployment issue being faced by thousands of youths in the state.

First time voter Kongkhao (Top) and Khumo (Bottom) at Noklak.
Khumo, a voter who had camped outside the Polling Station last night to cast his franchise today hoped that his sacrifice to vote for his candidate will not go to waste. He told Nagaland Tribune that whoever wins and becomes a Member of Legislative Assembly should remember the public unlike in the past where the MLAs forget those who elected them in the first place.
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Mentioning that it is the first General Election after being upgraded into a district, the young man added that he expects the representative to work for the people.
Khumo affirmed that the voting process was going “free and fair”.

A PWD voter cast his vote at 56th Noklak A/C on 27 February 2023.
A Person with Disability (PWD) voter also cast his vote at 56th Noklak A/C. He told Nagaland Tribune that he had first exercised his franchise in the 2008 General Election. When asked what he expects from the new government, he replied that he wanted development.
There are two constituencies in Noklak district. In 56 Noklak A/C, H. Haiying (BJP) and P. Longon (NCP) are contesting while the candidates for 57 Thonoknyu A/C are Benie M. Lamthiu (NPP), S. Heno Khiamniungan (NDPP) and L. Khumo Khiamniungan (LJP)
Except for S. Heno Khiamniungan, the rest of the candidates from the district were pictured at their respective Polling Stations casting their votes.