Nagaland wants polling rescheduled as it falls on Sunday

Two major political parties in Nagaland have appealed to the Election Commission to reschedule the polling date as it falls on Sunday.

The Naga People's Front (NPF) and Nagaland Pradesh Congress requested the Election Commission to defer the date for by-election of Aonglenden constituency under Mokokchung district as it would cause inconvenience to Christians who form majority in the state.

NPF Secretary General KG Kenye in a statement said that by-election date for Aonglenden Assembly Constituency, scheduled to be held on May 8, falls on Sunday which is Sabbath day for the Christians.

"Nagaland being a Christian state observes Sabbath with prayers and services throughout the day," he said, adding it was unthinkable to carry out a polling involving the entire population on such a day.

Asserting that scheduling the election date on Sunday amounted to undermining the Christian faith, the NPF urged the Commission to reschedule the date for a week day.

A similar plea was made to the Election Commission by the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC).

"Since Nagaland is populated by Christians, all the normal and major activities are not taken up on Sunday. Conducting a by-poll on Sunday will hurt the religious sentiment of the people in the state," NPCC president SI Jamir wrote in a letter to the Chief Election Commission (CEC).

"May I therefore request your honour to defer the polling to a working week day in order to salvage the sacred Sunday which is dear to the sentiment of the people."

Copies of the letter were also sent to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

Nagaland is one of the three Christian-majority states in India where Christians form over 90% of the population.