Election Commission Announces Bypolls for Two Northeast Assembly Seats
The Election Commission of India has officially declared bypolls for two crucial assembly constituencies in the northeastern states of Tripura and Nagaland. The Dharmanagar assembly constituency in Tripura and the Koridang assembly constituency (ST) in Nagaland's Mokokchung district will go to the polls on April 9, 2025, with the counting of votes scheduled for May 4, 2025. The entire electoral process is mandated to conclude by May 6, 2025.
Notification and Nomination Timeline
The formal notification for these by-elections will be issued on Monday, March 17, 2025. Prospective candidates are required to file their nominations by March 23, 2025. The scrutiny of these nomination papers will take place on March 24, 2025, followed by the deadline for withdrawal of nominations on March 26, 2025. This structured timeline ensures a transparent and orderly election process.
Reason for Dharmanagar Bypoll in Tripura
The bypoll in Tripura's Dharmanagar constituency was necessitated by the unfortunate demise of the sitting MLA and assembly speaker, Bishwabandhu Sen, in December 2024. Sen, a prominent political figure, collapsed at Agartala railway station on August 8, 2024, while returning home after fulfilling his legislative duties. He was immediately rushed to a hospital, where medical professionals diagnosed complications arising from a severe brain haemorrhage, leading to his subsequent passing.
Vacancy in Nagaland's Koridang Constituency
Meanwhile, the Koridang constituency (ST) in Nagaland fell vacant following the death of veteran Naga leader and incumbent MLA, Imkong L Imchen, on November 11, 2024, after a brief illness. Imchen, aged 75, had a distinguished political career, having been elected to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly five consecutive times from the Koridang seat.
Electoral Profile of Koridang Constituency
According to the final electoral roll published on March 13, 2025, after a special summary revision, the Koridang constituency comprises 22,266 general voters, with a gender distribution of 11,253 males and 11,013 females. Additionally, there are 124 service electors, consisting of 123 males and one female. The constituency has 30 officially notified polling stations, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) equipped with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems will be deployed to ensure the integrity and transparency of the voting process.
Political Legacy of Imkong L Imchen
Imkong L Imchen's political journey was marked by significant electoral successes across different party affiliations. He first won the Koridang seat as an Independent candidate in 2003. Subsequently, he secured victories on Naga People's Front tickets in 2008, 2013, and 2018. In the most recent assembly elections held in 2023, Imchen emerged victorious on a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ticket, showcasing his enduring popularity and adaptability in the region's dynamic political landscape.
The announcement of these bypolls underscores the Election Commission's commitment to upholding democratic processes and ensuring representation for the people of Tripura and Nagaland. Political parties are expected to commence their campaigns vigorously, focusing on local issues and development agendas to woo the electorate in these strategically important constituencies.
