The Congress on Tuesday created history by winning the lone Lok Sabha seat in Nagaland after a gap of 20 years, despite the party not having any MLA in the state assembly. Congress candidate S Supongmeren Jamir secured a thumping victory by a margin of 50,984 votes. Supongmeren defeated NDPP’s Dr Chumben Murry by gaining 401,951 votes, while Murry received 350,697 votes and independent candidate Hayithung Tungoe Lotha garnered 6,232 votes.
A total of 57.72% of the 13.25 lakh eligible voters cast their votes in the election for the seat on April 19.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Nagaland, Vyasan R, IAS, and Commissioner Nagaland & Returning Officer, Sushil Kumar, IAS, conducted a joint press conference with media personnel after the counting of votes for the 1-Nagaland Parliamentary Constituency for the 18th Lok Sabha Election 2024 at AWO Ki, D-Block, Kohima.
Addressing the media, Commissioner Nagaland & Returning Officer Sushil Kumar, IAS, informed that out of 60 assembly constituencies, people voted in 40 assembly constituencies in Nagaland.
It is notable that before polling, several Naga organizations, led by the Eastern Nagaland Public Organization (ENPO), declared to abstain from participating in the Lok Sabha election, demanding the formation of a separate administration for six districts of Eastern Nagaland—Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang—through the creation of a separate Frontier Nagaland Territory. The organization then announced a shutdown in the region, which wasn’t lifted until after polling on April 20. The region witnessed a record zero voter turnout.
Kumar said that out of 6,035 postal ballot votes cast by polling officers on duty and service voters, 3,642 were valid votes while 2,393 were invalid votes. Kumar also mentioned that all counting of votes was done at district headquarters, including Pughoboto, and postal ballot votes were counted at the Commissioner Nagaland’s office in Kohima.
CM Rio congratulates
Taking to X, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated S Supongmeren Jamir for winning the lone Lok Sabha election seat from Nagaland. “The citizens of the State have chosen you to be their elected representative. I wish you the best in carrying out your responsibility of serving the people effectively,” he added.
K Therie congratulates
Congratulating the people of Nagaland for a decisive vote, former Finance Minister and Former President NPCC K Therie thanked all the voters for their “conscious vote” stating that their inner voice is “loud and clear”.
“2024 Lok Sabha election verdict will be written in history,” said the 73 year old veteran Congressman, adding that the verdict is historic for defeating the opposition-less Govt.
“The people have shown that they do not subscribe to the idea of Christian oppression. The people have proven that intimidation with power can be defied. The people also have shown that nothing can sway faith,” he added.
He thanked the Congressmen and women for standing on the principles and with the ideology of the Congress party for the many years in opposition.
“You are the trunk of the Congress. I hope the victory will lead the people of Nagaland to a new chapter. I also congratulate INC Candidate Shri Supongmeren Jamir for the historic win. I wish him all the best,” he added.
Mokokchung DCC President Watimongba reacts
Mokokchung District Congress Committee President Watimongba reacting to the win said, “The Congress may have fought hard, but it was the understanding and support of the people of Nagaland that brought us to victory.
We deeply appreciate you stepping out of your comfortable homes to vote for us. Thank you. The Congress party would sincerely like to thank all of you”.
The president also hoped that the INDIA bloc would form a coalition government.
Speaking on the result, he said, “This is a sign that many are getting tired of the incumbent government.” According to him, the people can notice that the present government is more oriented towards “self-interest” rather than “public-interest” and, therefore, the people of Nagaland wish to see a change.