Nagaland Civic Body Elections See High Turnout After 20 Years

More than 83 per cent of the over 2.23 lakh electorate exercised their franchise in the Nagaland civic polls on Wednesday, a senior official reported. Voting for 25 urban local bodies (ULBs) in 10 districts commenced at 7:30 am under tight security and continued until 4 pm.

"The ULB polling was peacefully held in 25 municipalities spread across 420 polling stations and 214 wards. A provisional poll percentage of 83.54 was recorded," State Election Commissioner T John Longkumer stated. He added that the polls were conducted smoothly in all polling stations, except one under the Dimapur Municipal Council.

Nagaland Civic Polls: Key Highlights

This election is historic for Nagaland as it marks the first civic body polls after a gap of 20 years. Additionally, it is the first time the urban local body polls were held with a 33 per cent reservation for women, according to an official.

Instead of using electronic voting machines (EVMs), voting took place through ballot papers in the 420 polling stations, an Election Commission official mentioned. The votes will be counted on June 29.

An unopposed elected candidate from the NDPP in Kohima was seen in Dimapur municipalities with catapults, mud-balls, and a walkie-talkie, police said. He was subsequently detained and put behind bars.

Political Parties and Voter Participation

Over 2.23 lakh voters, including 1,13,521 women, will decide the electoral fate of 523 candidates from 11 political parties. The parties contesting include NDPP, BJP, Congress, Naga Peoples Front (NPF), Rising Peoples Party, RPI Athawale, JDU, LJP, NCP and NPP.

The government had announced elections to urban local bodies several times previously. However, objections from tribal bodies and civil society organisations against reservation for women and tax on land and properties created hurdles in conducting the polls.

ENPO's Stance

The Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO) declared that six districts in the region would not participate in the elections. ENPO is the apex body of seven Naga tribes in these six eastern districts. They have been demanding a Frontier Nagaland Territory, claiming that their region has been neglected for years.

There are 14 town councils within the ENPO area. Despite their boycott, the rest of Nagaland saw significant voter turnout and participation.

The peaceful conduct of these elections marks a significant step forward for Nagaland's democratic process after two decades of delays and disputes.