Voting for Nagaland civic polls begin, 523 candidates in the fray for 214 wards

The Eastern Nagaland area is once again not participating in the polls owing to the ENPO's decision to abstain from any Central or state elections.

After 20 long years, municipality elections in Nagaland is being held today.

Voting began at 7.30 am across as many as 420 polling stations for 214 wards in 3 Municipalities and 22 Town Councils.

A total of 2,23,636 eligible voters will seal the fate of as many as 523 candidates (198 females and 325 males) who are in the fray. 64 candidates have already won unopposed in 21 municipal and town councils.

The ruling NDPP has fielded 178 candidates followed by BJP-44, Congress-37, NCP-15, NPF-21, NPP-22, JDU-9, RPI(A)- 7, LJP- 7, RPP- 1 and 182 are Independent candidates.

56 candidates are contesting for the Dimapur Municipal Council, 16 for East Dimapur Town Council, 14 for Niuland Town Council, 20 for Medziphema Town Council, 20 for Chümoukedima Town Council, 35 for Kohima Municipal Council, 14 for Peren Town Council, 20 for Town of Julukie, 27 for Wokha Town Council, 12 for Tening Town Council, 19 for Bhandari Town Council, 28 for Zunheboto Town Council, 15 for Sathaka Town Council, 12 for Atoizu and Aghunato Town Councils, 29 for Tseminyu Town Council, 29 for Mokokchung Municipal Council, 6 for Tuli Town Council, 20 for Changtongya Town Council, 19 for Mangkolemba Town Council, 25 for Phek Town Council, 28 for Pfutsero Town Council, 28 for Chozuba Town Council and 11 for Meluri Town Council.

Notably, for the first time, the elections being held with 33 per cent reservation for women, aiming to enhance gender representation in municipal and town councils.

However, the electoral process has been marred by the ENPO’s decision to boycott the polls in Eastern Nagaland comprising 14 Town Councils and 140 wards spread across 20 constituencies in 6 districts. Eastern Nagaland has abstained from the recent Lok Sabha elections.

Elections are on political lines, but noticeably as many as 182 independent candidates are also in the fray.

The ULB polls will also be a test of the NDPP-BJP alliance in the state. While the NDPP is contesting in 178 wards, the BJP has fielded candidates in 44, the Congress in 37, and the NPP in 22.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio taking to X, urged all eligible voters to cast their votes. He said that ULBs are crucial as they provide a platform for citizens’ participation in urban management and development of towns and cities.

https://x.com/Neiphiu_Rio/status/1805576039139361073

The results will be declared on June 29.

It may be mentioned here that the last successful ULB polls were held in 2004 without the inclusion of 33% women reservation.

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