In a significant political development, no candidates from eastern Nagaland will participate in the June 26 urban local body or ULB elections after the final six candidates withdrew their nominations on Tuesday.
“The six candidates, from the Pungro town council in Kiphire district, voluntarily withdrew their nominations today, the last day for withdrawal. This action demonstrates eastern Nagaland’s solidarity with the February resolution of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) to abstain from all central and state elections until their demands are met,” stated an ENPO leader.
This withdrawal is noteworthy as eastern Nagaland also abstained from the April 19 Lok Sabha elections, leading to zero voter turnout and the Opposition Congress winning the lone seat from the State by defeating the ruling NDPP candidate.
A total of 61 nominations were initially filed from four of the six eastern Nagaland districts by June 11, the last day for filing nominations. No nominations were filed from Tuensang and Noklak districts. Across the State, around 669 nominations were filed for the election of three municipal councils and 36 town councils, which are being held for the first time since 2004 with a 33 per cent reservation for women.
The ENPO, the apex body of eight tribes from the six districts of eastern Nagaland – Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Noklak, and Shamator – announced its decision to abstain from the ULB elections on May 15. This decision was in response to the delay in creating the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), as “assured” by the Central Government. The ENPO declared that they would not participate in any Central or State elections until their demand is fulfilled.
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