Polling commenced on Wednesday morning for elections to 25 civic bodies in Nagaland, amid stringent security measures. This election marks a significant event as it is the first urban local body polls in the northeastern state after a two-decade hiatus. The elections are being conducted for three municipalities and 22 town councils, with 33 percent of seats reserved for women, a first in the state's history.
The Nagaland State Election Commission (SEC) announced that voting began at 7.30 am and will continue until 4 pm. The polling process has been reported as peaceful, with enhanced security to ensure smooth conduct. Over 2.23 lakh voters, including 1,13,521 women, are eligible to cast their votes to decide the fate of 523 candidates representing 11 political parties. Voting is being conducted through ballot papers at 420 polling stations.
However, the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) has decided that the six districts in their region will abstain from participating in the elections. ENPO, the apex body of seven Naga tribes from the eastern districts, has been advocating for a 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' due to perceived long-term neglect of the region. Despite 59 accepted nominations from these areas, tribal bodies influenced the candidates to withdraw their nominations. The ENPO also boycotted the April 19 Lok Sabha polls for Nagaland's lone seat.
