The State Election Commission has announced fresh elections to Ward 11 (Chaara) of Chumoukedima Town Council, Ward 8 (Tsumang B) of Wokha Town Council, and Ward 9 (Samba Ghoki) of Atoizu Town Council in accordance with Section 30 of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023 following the casual vacancy that has occurred therein and notified by the Government vide Notification No.MA-20/2024/453 dated 6/2/2026, Notification No.MA-20/2024/454 dated 6/2/2026, and Notification No.MA-20/2024/556 dated 30/3/2026 respectively.
The Government through vide letter No.MA-20/2024/29 dated 15th April 2026 has conveyed Administrative Approval of the Election Programme for the conduct of election to the said Wards (Unreserved).
The Commission announced that the Polls would be held on June 16 and the results declared on June 19.
Nominations for the said seats would be filed from May 25 to 29 up to 3 p.m. while the list of validly presented nomination papers would be posted on May 30.
Scrutiny of nomination papers and list of validly nominated candidates would be posted on June 1 (Monday). Filing application for revision of the order of the authority scrutinizing the nomination would be from June 2 to 3 (Tuesday – Wednesday) [Up to 3 PM].
Revision application filed would be decided on June 4 (Thursday) and last date for withdrawal of candidature is June 5(Friday) [Up to 3 PM].
List of contesting candidates and list of polling stations would be posted on June 5 (Friday) [After 3 PM]
While the polling would be held on June 16, re-poll, if any would be held on June 18 and counting and declaration of results on June 19 (from 8 a.m. onwards)
The Commission further informed that the Electoral Roll in force under Rule 10 as published on 12.04.2024 and read with Rule 81 of the Nagaland Municipal Election Rules 2023 shall be the Roll for the Election.
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Model Code of Conduct
With the announcement of the Election Programme, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), as contained in the Model Code of Conduct for the guidance of Political Parties and Candidates and adopted by the State Election Commission, has come into operation with immediate effect within the jurisdiction, including the poll-bound Ward, of Chumoukedima Town Council, Wokha Town Council, and Atoizu Town Council and would remain in force till the completion of the election process.
The MCC would be applicable to all candidates, political parties in the Town Council jurisdiction as also the State Government with respect to the observance of MCC guidelines in the jurisdiction concerned.
Training of poll officials
Meanwhile, the training for the Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, and District Level Master Trainers have been conducted. Election Observers would be deployed to the Town Councils to assist in the conduct of free and fair elections. Additionally, other necessary institutional measures are being put in place for a smooth election process.
The State Election Commissioner has requested all the election officials, including security personnel, to be engaged for the ensuing bye-elections to discharge their roles with professional commitment to ensure that the bye-election is conducted in a free and fair manner.
While acknowledging the important role of the electors, the State Election Commissioner appealed to all the concerned electors to exercise their franchise to make the election participatory and meaningful. He also appealed to the political parties, candidates, various civil society organizations and stakeholders to extend their cooperation towards a peaceful and smooth election process.
