KOHIMA: The Eastern Nagaland region, encompassing six districts, remained steadfast in its resolve to abstain from participating in the polls for the lone Lok Sabha seat from the state, on Friday.
The decision stems, from what the locals perceive, the Centre’s failure to announce the creation of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) prior to the election announcement.
As the day progressed, no votes were cast in the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphre, Noklak, and Shamator, according to reports from local media outlets.
Despite a significant voter population in each district, all Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) remained unused.
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Earlier, the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) issued an “indefinite total shutdown” starting from 6 pm on Thursday, demonstrating the region’s collective decision to refrain from electoral participation.
This sentiment was echoed by the Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU), with its 20 members abstaining from voting as per ENPO’s directive.
The ENLU, however, highlighted that their non-participation in the democratic process of the election should “not be attributed to them”.
They stated that they would not be answerable or blamed should talks on FNT fail or face adverse effects due to the election boycott.
On April 15, ENPO President R Tsapikiu Sangtam clarified to a local daily that Eastern Nagaland residents are “abstaining,” not “boycotting,” the election.
Despite this, he assured no disruption to the electoral process in ENPO areas.
Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton confirmed polling stations would be set up across the state, including Eastern Nagaland, on April 12.
With around 3,99,912 voters potentially affected by this decision, out of a total of 13.25 lakh in the state, the impact of the boycott extends to Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak, and Shamator districts, which elect 20 of the state’s 60 MLAs.
This resolve to abstain from elections follows the reaffirmation of the Chenmoho Resolution on March 19, wherein the people of eastern Nagaland vowed not to participate in any Central and state elections, in adherence to their commitment made on February 23.
