'0%' voting in 6 Nagaland districts over separate territory demand
On Friday, polling stations across six districts in eastern Nagaland remained empty due to an indefinite shutdown call by the Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO). The ENPO, a prominent body representing seven tribal groups in the region, initiated this shutdown to advocate for their demand for a separate state. Despite the lack of activity from people or vehicles, except for district administration and emergency services, peace prevailed throughout during the first phase of Lok Sabha elections.
No voter turnout reported until midday
Awa Loring, additional chief electoral officer of Nagaland, confirmed that election officials were present at all 738 polling stations spread across the six districts. However, sources reported no voter turnout until 11:00am on polling day, which concluded at 4:00pm. The districts are home to seven Naga tribes who support the demand for separate statehood along with a section of the Sumi tribe from the region.
ENPO advocates for separate statehood
The ENPO had earlier announced an "indefinite total shutdown all over Eastern Nagaland jurisdiction with effect from 6:00pm on April 18 (Thursday)." The organization has been advocating for a separate state, Frontier Nagaland, since 2010, arguing that these six districts have been overlooked for years. The ENPO area comprises six districts of Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamatore, and Noklak and holds 20 seats in the 60-member Nagaland Assembly.
Nagaland CEO issues show cause notice to ENPO
Nagaland CEO Vayasan R viewed the bandh as an attempt to exert undue influence during elections and issued a show cause notice to ENPO on Thursday night. He cited sub-section (1) of Section 171C of the Indian Penal Code which states, "Whoever voluntarily interferes...attempts to interfere with the free exercise of...electoral rights...commits the offense of undue influence at an election." The ENPO had encouraged residents in these six districts not to participate in the elections as a form of protest.
Legislators urge residents not to abstain from voting
Despite the ENPO's declaration of a "public emergency" in these six districts, all 20 legislators from eastern Nagaland appealed to residents not to abstain from voting. The Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union issued a statement saying that while they understand the resentment over not fulfilling the Frontier Nagaland Territory demand, abstention from voting would hinder progress of talks. They urged residents to exercise their duties in order to enjoy their rights.
