Kohima, February 10: Even as major political parties in Nagaland-Indian National Congress, Nagaland People's Front (NPF) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have finalized their candidates, none of the candidates from any political parties have filed their nominations for the ensuing Nagaland Assembly Elections 2008.The filing of nominations as notified by the Chief Election Officer of Nagaland commenced on Saturday, however no candidates had reached the Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer of the respective district for the first day.

So far six political parties have declared a total of 173 candidates, excluding two independent candidates to contest for the 60 seat Nagaland Assembly Election 2008 scheduled for March 5, 2008 .

The filing of nominations would begin in full swing with political parties deciding to do it from Monday.

The major political parties which have declared and issued tickets to the candidates so far are: Indian National Congress-60, Nagaland People's Front (NPF)-56, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-24, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)-24, Janata Dal (Secular)-4 and Lok Janata Party (LJP)-3 .

Though election campaigns have started in a low intensity, it is likely to gain momentum from Monday with various political parties having their own star campaigners.

The Congress Party besides its local leaders is set to bring Central leaders including All India Congress Committee president, Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister, Dr.Manmohan Singh and AICC General Secretary i/c Youth & NSUI Rahul Gandhi while Former Chief Minister and DAN Leader would be star campaigner for the NPF Party and BJP is likely to bring Central leaders L K Advani, Sushma Swaraj, Hemamalini, Novjod Singh Sidhu and others.

Mention may be made that the Congress and NPF are the two main contenders in the elections as they would be contesting in 60 and 56 assembly seats respectively.

Nagaland would be witnessing the highest number of political parties contesting the State elections with several other political parties yet to finalize their candidates.

As political parties are hectically gearing up for the election campaign, the Election Commission of Nagaland is also imparting trainings to its Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers and staffs for proper handling of the Electronic Voting Machines and recent changes made in conduct of election besides making full proof arrangement for a free and fair polls.

It is learnt that the Central Government has sanctioned 150 companies of additional security forces including Para Military and Assam Rifles, besides the State's own police forces.

Security has also been beefed up with round the clock deployment of combined forces of police and security forces.

There are 1781 Polling Stations spread over 12 districts, including Pughoboto electoral district with Dimapur having the highest number of polling stations-257 and Pughboto Electoral District is the lowest with 26 polling stations.

The State capital, Kohima has 189 polling stations.

Further, the Deputy Commissioner & DEO of the respective districts have requisitioned buildings, where the Polling Stations are located, to be used as polling station for the ensuing 11th General Assembly election, 2008 .

Meanwhile, as recommended by the Election Commission of India, Governor of Nagaland, K Sankaranarayanan under Section 15 of the Representation of Peoples Act 1951 has notified that the last date of making nomination February 16 while scrutiny of nominations would be done on February 18 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is February 20.The date of poll is March 5 while counting of votes would be done on March 8 and the election process would be completed by March 11, 2008 .

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