The process of government formation in Nagaland was postponed by a day on Tuesday with the crucial Democratic Alliance of Nagaland meeting to elect its leader to be held on Wednesday.

The Nationalist Democratic Movement, which pledged support to the four-party DAN, increased its tally to five and Janta Dal (United) to three.

A former deputy speaker and Janata Dal (United) nominee was declared winner during the day from the Longleng assembly seat while NDM candidate bagged the Thononkyu seat.  

The results of two more seats in the 60-member house are yet to be announced.

The Election Commission has asked the returning officers to withhold the results of Arkakong and Kiphire-Pungto assembly segments after detection of irregularities and an incident of arson. An Election Commission team will visit the two places on March 6.

Wednesday's meeting of the DAN would enable newly elected Janata Dal (United) member from Longleng to Kohima including other alliance partners, Bharatiya Janata Party's northeast in-charge V Satish said.

Nagaland People's Front sources said there was all likelihood of its legislative party leader Neiphiu Rio being unanimously elected leader of the DAN, which has the support of 33 MLAs including four independents.

The decks have been cleared for Rio after octogenarian BJP legislative party leader and former chief minister Hokishe Sema declined to be in the race.

NPF is the leading DAN constituent having 19 seats followed by seven of BJP.