Not 1 of eastern Nagaland’s 4L voters turn up to vote

Guwahati: Not one of the over four lakh voters of eastern Nagaland turned up to vote for elections to the state’s lone Lok Sabha seat on Friday following a shutdown call by Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) over the Centre’s “failure” to fulfil its long-standing demand for the creation of a separate territory. The 20 MLAs of the region, comprising six districts, also did not exercise their franchise.

Though the EC website states 20 assembly segments of eastern Nagaland recorded a zero turnout till 8pm, Nagaland chief electoral officer Vyasan R told TOI “It would be premature to comment on assembly segment-wise voting percentage. We will have to wait till Saturday.”

He said voting began in the state at 7am like elsewhere in the country and was continuing well past the scheduled time in some parts.

After casting his vote, CM Neiphiu Rio told media persons, “ENPO had issued a strict order. We don’t want to get into any confrontation with it. Let us see what will happen. It knows best what its doing.”

He, however, added that appropriate action will be taken as per law against those who prevented people from exercising their democratic right. “The Election Commission has already issued a show-cause notice to ENPO over the shutdown call during elections,” Rio said.

Altogether 738 polling stations were set up in eastern Nagaland.

Poll officials said there was hardly any movement of civilians or vehicles in eastern Nagaland except those of the district administration and other emergency services.

Of the 13.25 lakh voters in Nagaland, the six districts in eastern Nagaland have 4,00,632 voters. The ENPO represents the seven tribes of the region— Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Tikhir and Yimkhiung. It has been demanding a separate Frontier Nagaland Territory, comprising six districts, since 2010 alleging that successive govts did not bring about socio-economic development in the region.

The CM said the MLAs of eastern Nagaland and ENPO should sit across the table to resolve the issue, which they could not do. He assured that discussions will be held soon.

Meanwhile, ENPO vice-president Z Throngshe said, “The MLAs of the 20 assembly segments that fall in eastern Nagaland also extended full cooperation to the call of the people as they were elected by the people.”

Nagaland Lok Sabha poll: Eastern districts observe shutdown, no votes cast in 20 segments

Eastern Nagaland voters boycott elections over unmet promise of Frontier Nagaland Territory by ENPO, leading to zero votes cast in affected areas. CEO Vyasan R raises law and order concerns.

Voting begins in northeast amid boycott call in eastern Nagaland

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MLAs from eastern Nagaland appeal to people not to abstain from LS polls

ENPO boycotts elections until separate state demand met. ENLU urges voting to avoid hindering talks. Frontier Nagaland Territory causing resentment. ENPO protects citizens from voting repercussions.

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