NLA issues instructions for Presidential poll

Kohima, Jul 18 (UNI) The Nagaland Legislative Assembly(NLA) today announced that the Presidential Elections in Nagaland would be held tomorrow between 1000-1700 hours at the New Assembly Secretariat Complex.

As the Assistant Returning Officer, the Nagaland Assembly Secretary Benjamir Newmai, in a circular, listed the instructions of the Election Commission of India for the Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and the Members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha from Nagaland.

Meanwhile, the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland(DAN), which is an alliance partner of the NDA, still seems to be divided on the issue of Presidential election as its alliance partner BJP will be supporting the NDA candidate, while JD(U) and Samata Party will also opt for NDA sponsored candidate, but its major alliance partner Nagaland peoples Front(NPF) had decided for 'conscience vote' for the Presidential election, which may lead to a floor-crossing among its members during the election.

Referring to the decision of the party meeting in the first week of this month, NPF Secretary General Chubatemjen said that NPF had reaffirmed its committment to the pre-poll alliance of the DAN and the party would not issue any whip for the election to the office of the President of India, but allowed 'conscience voting' to the legislators both in Parliament and in the State Assembly.

However, the Opposition Congress, with its 17 members in the NLA is intact and will vote for the UPA-Left parties' candidate, party sources said here today.

UNI