Lok Sabha elections in Nagaland witnessed an unexpected situation as 11 districts out of the 17 districts participated in the festival of democracy and 6 districts of the Eastern Nagaland abstained from registering their vote.
Nagaland, known for its high percentage turnout during the Lok Sabha polls, today witnessed a tentative percentage of only 56 percent.
Overall, the election was by and large peaceful with no violence reported from across the State, as stated by Nagaland CEO Vyasan R, IAS.
With all attempts to persuade the people in Eastern Nagaland eventually failed today as they chose not to take part in voting for the lone Lok Sabha today.
Empty polling booths with no voters and only polling as well as security personnel on duty bore the testimony of people showing full support to the Eastern Naga People’s Organisation (ENPO) call to abstain the biggest festival of democracy.
When voters in 102 Lok Sabha seats exercised their franchise to elect candidates of their choice, people expressed their solidarity with the ENPO and thus expressed their sheer disappointment over the government’s response to their demand for creation for a Frontier Nagaland.
This was the situation today in Eastern Nagaland, despite the Eastern legislators made a fresh appeal to the people to not abstain from voting and exercise their franchise as their votes would prove precious in shaping the future. The Eastern Nagaland Legislators Union (ENLU) had also cautioned that abstaining from voting may further complicate things as far as the demand of the eastern people are concerned.
To make matter worse, the ENPO had called for an indefinite total shutdown across the Eastern Nagaland with effect from 6:00 PM on 18 April 2024.
This prompted the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Nagaland to issue a show cause notice to the president of ENPO asking him as to why why action should not be initiated against the organisation under relevant sections of the law.
Taking strong cognizance of the ENPO public notice, calling for an indefinite shutdown, the CEO Nagaland in its show cause notice said, “The abovesaid public notice attempts to use undue influence at elections by interfering with the free exercise of those residing in Eastern Nagaland Areas to vote at the General Elections to the Lok Sabha 2024…”
Meanwhile, the ENPO in its response to the CEO notice stated that the decision was taken to minimize the possibilities of disturbances in the region and associated risks linked with gathering of anti-social elements.
The ENPO further in it’s reply said that the decision to abstain from voting was a voluntary decision taken by the people.
“Prior to the issuance of the public notice, consultations were held with the Eastern Nagaland people, represented through the office of the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO). It is important to note that the shutdown was a voluntary initiative taken by the people of the Eastern Nagaland region,” stated the ENPO.
Worth mentioning the ENPO on 1 April 2024 had sent a representation to the ECI specifically mentioning that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had “offered and assured” to settle the issue before the announcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the Lok Sabha Election 2024, as notified by the ECI.
In a Joint Consultative Meeting of the ENPO, Federating Tribal Bodies, Frontal Organizations, Talk Team, and senior leaders held on 23 February 2024, at Chenmoho Village, Mon District, it was unanimously resolved “not to participate in any central and state elections” against the alleged delay by the Centre in settling the offer for the creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory.
About 3 lakh 99 thousand general electors represent the Eastern Nagaland.
Till the time of filing this report, the polling percentage recorded in Nagaland was 56 percent.
