People of Eastern Nagaland displayed great resilience today as the ENPO’s ‘voluntary’ abstention from voting in the Lok Sabha polls 2024 passed off without any commotion and all 20 Assembly Constituencies recorded ‘NIL’ voting percentage. Compared to the visuals of voters waiting to vote in serpentine queues while baking under the sun in February 2023 State Assembly elections, today’s picture was quite the contrast.
Although polling stations had been set up in all the constituencies with polling and security personnel stationed, no voter turned out to cast their votes. There are 3,99,205 total voters across the six districts in Eastern Nagaland – 19447 in Shamator, 38995 Noklak, 157579 in Mon, 48821 in Longleng 76916 in Tuensang and 57447 voters in Kiphire.
At Tuensang Headquarter, when polling ended at 4:00 pm, Rev Achu Chang, Executive Secretary, Chang Baptist Lashong Thangyen, said a prayer of gratitude for the successful zero casting and the peaceful atmosphere in the presence of Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) officials led by President R Tsapikiu Sangtam.
Eastern Nagaland Women Organisation (ENWO) expressed gratitude to the residents of the six districts for “their invaluable support and cooperation.”
“Thank you for taking a stand and assuming responsibility, contributing to the success of today’s decision to abstain from participating in the ongoing poll,” ENWO stated. Pointing out that any movement comes with sacrifices, the women’s body said that unity is the key to overcoming any challenge and in achieving their goals.
“Let us continue to support and uplift one another, becoming each other’s pillars of strength in the future,” it said.
Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) acknowledge the Federating Units – Chang Wedoshi Setshang, Khiamniungan Students’ Union, Konyak Students’ Union, Phom Students’ Conference, United Sangtam Students’ Conference, Tikhir Students’ Union, Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako and Eastern Nagaland Sumi Students’ Union and all the general citizens of Eastern Nagaland “who have volunteered to uphold the ENPO Chenmoho Resolution on 19th April 2024” and by conscientiously abstaining from the 18th Lok Sabha General Election 2024.
The Federation said that it eagerly anticipates continued collaboration and unity from all stakeholders. It is through such dedicated public engagement and cooperation that we can collectively strive towards realizing the shared goals and aspirations of Eastern Nagaland, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for generations to come, it stated.
The Chang Khulei Setshang (Chang Tribal Council) too expressed gratitude to the “good thinking and selfless citizens of Tuensang District in particular and Eastern Nagaland in general for showing solidarity and thoughtful contribution towards the common interest of Eastern Nagaland in pursuant of the “Frontier Nagaland Territory”’
The Council thanked the Tribal Organizations/ Bodies and Hohos, All Ward Union Tuensang Town and all the Ward/ Sector/ Colony leaders of Tuensang Town and each and every individual/ groups/ parties for the solidarity and anticipated unwavering support till the achievement of its goal.
The Khiamniungan Tribal Council Control Room HQ. Noklak too extended its sincerest gratitude to all the Range Organisations, Range Students’ union, Federating Units (Students, Menyiu Hoikam, Public organisation) Sector/Ward Chairmen, All Village Councils, Village Elders, All Individual, Citizens of Noklak District and Khiamniungan in particular for rendering fullest cooperation and services towards the cause of FNT by successfully abstaining the LS polls 2024.
