The ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) swept the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections in Nagaland on Saturday, securing all three municipal councils and most of the town councils.
The NDPP, which dominates the opposition-less United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government in Nagaland, won the three municipal councils in Kohima, Mokokchung, and Dimapur. The NDPP secured most of the seats in 21 town councils, except for Wokha, Bhandari, and Phek.
In the Wokha town council, the NDPP won seven of the 15 seats, while the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won five, and the BJP won three seats.
The Naga People’s Front (NPF) secured a majority in the Bhandari and Phek town councils. Bhandari is the only urban local body where the NDPP did not field any candidate.
The NDPP earlier won six and five seats uncontested in the Kohima and Mokokchung municipal councils, respectively, and secured most of the remaining seats in Saturday’s results. The NDPP also won the majority of the 23 seats in the Dimapur Municipal Council.
In all, 64 candidates, mostly belonging to NDPP, won their seats uncontested. After the results were announced, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated all the winners in a post on X.
“Congratulations to the winning candidates in the ULB elections. I extend my best wishes as you take on the responsibility of addressing civic issues. I’m confident that your dedication will lead to positive changes and fulfill the public’s expectations in your respective wards,” Rio tweeted.
The Urban Local Body (ULB) polls in the state were held on June 26 after a gap of 20 years. It was a historic event as this was the first municipal election in the state held with 33 percent reservation for women.
Nagaland has a total of 39 town councils, but no election was held in 15 of them as these are located in the six eastern districts where the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) called for abstention from the polls.
Since 2010, the ENPO has been demanding a separate Frontier Nagaland Territory, or a separate state, comprising six eastern Nagaland districts – Kiphire, Longleng, Mon, Noklak, Shamator, and Tuensang — inhabited by eight tribes – Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Tikhir, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, and Eastern Sumi.
The people in the six districts, which have over four lakh voters, also remained indoors during the Lok Sabha polls on April 19, responding to the ENPO’s abstention call.
In all, 79 candidates filed their nominations in these six districts but withdrew their candidatures.
Nagaland SEC reports peaceful ULB election with historic women’s participation
State Election Commissioner, T John Longkumer said that the ULB election was conducted peacefully without any serious incidents, except for a few minor issues resulting in a case being registered in Mokokchung district and a repoll being conducted in Dimapur Ward 4 under the relevant Article of the Nagaland Municipal Act.
The State Election Commissioner also highlighted that the police have conducted a preventive detention of 553 individuals all over the state before the polling day, recovered arms from an abandoned vehicle, registered 21 cases due to scuffles, and arrested 22 persons.
He also mentioned the seizure of Rs. 2,48,730 from the campus of a polling station in Dimapur, which, after proper verification, was found to belong to a businessman for his business.
He expressed his gratitude to the Civil Administration, election staff, Nagaland Police, NGOs, Church Organizations, Tribal Hohos, and polling personnel for ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election. He noted that, for the first time in history, 198 women filed nominations, and women’s enthusiastic participation in voting symbolized a significant victory for women’s empowerment.
Additional Commissioner of the State Election Commission, L Jamithung Lotha, and Police Nodal Officer, PHQ, Rankathung Vikram Ezung, AIG, also provided an overall report on the recently conducted ULB election. Under Secretary, SEC, Tsutsowe Kupaing, highlighted the statistical data of the state ULB election.
NDPP sweeps Mokokchung, mixed wins across Mangkolemba, Changtongya, Tuli
The Urban Local Body poll results for Mokokchung Municipal Council, Mangkolemba Town Council, Tuli Town Council, and Changtongya Town Council were declared on Saturday. Out of the 18 wards in Mokokchung Municipal Council, NDPP won in fifteen wards, five of which were uncontested. Independents won in two wards, and the INC won in one ward. Six of the eighteen wards were reserved for women.
In Mangkolemba, out of nine wards, NDPP won in four wards, Independents won in four wards, including one uncontested win, and the INC won in one ward.
In Changtongya, out of eleven wards, NDPP won in seven wards, and Independents won in four wards, including two uncontested wins.
In Tuli, out of nine wards, NDPP won in two wards, BJP won in three wards, INC won in three wards, and Independents won in one ward. Six of the nine wards were uncontested.
(With IANS inputs)