The Naga People’s Front (NPF) emerged with the upper hand in Nagaland’s urban local body by-elections on Friday, defeating Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidates in both wards where the two PDA allies faced each other directly, while an Independent candidate won the third contest in Atoizu.
The results leave the BJP without a seat from the three by-elections and hand the NPF an early political advantage.
In Chümoukedima Town Council Ward 11, NPF candidate Neichü-u Kuotsu defeated BJP candidate Kezhangutuo Zhotso by 90 votes, polling 326 votes against 236. Four votes were declared invalid. The Chümoukedima by-election was held following the death of councillor Keneiseto Medoze.
The NPF also retained Wokha Town Council Ward 8, where Ar Aling Lotha defeated BJP candidate Mhomo Humtsoe by 37 votes. Lotha secured 296 votes against Humtsoe’s 259. The by-election was necessitated by the death of former Wokha Town Council chairperson Khozamo Murry, and the result saw his son retain the seat for the party. Ten votes were declared invalid.
In Atoizu Town Council Ward 9, Independent candidate Inaka Z Chishi defeated NPF candidate G. Shikavi Kiba by 17 votes. Chishi secured 102 votes against Kiba’s 85. One vote was declared invalid, while voter turnout stood at 188 out of 195 registered electors.
Though fought at the municipal level, the by-elections attracted political attention as the first electoral contests following the merger that brought the NDPP into the NPF fold. They also marked the first direct contests between the NPF and BJP since the two parties entered into the People’s Democratic Alliance (PDA) arrangement.
In both wards where voters were presented with a direct choice between the NPF and BJP, the regional party prevailed, while the BJP was unable to convert either contest into a victory.
Reacting to the outcome, the NPF said the results reflected public confidence in its commitment to grassroots development and transparent governance. The party thanked voters in Chümoukedima and Wokha for their support and said the victories reaffirmed its connection with the electorate. It also thanked voters in Atoizu and said it respected the democratic verdict delivered there.