KOHIMA: Responding to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization’s (ENPO) call to abstain from participating in the Lok Sabha elections, polling stations in the six districts of Eastern Nagaland remained deserted on Friday (April 19) as citizens adhered to the call, resulting in a record ‘nil’ voting percentage.
However, besides the display of absenteeism, no untoward incidents were reported throughout the day across Eastern Nagaland on the polling day.
The six Eastern Nagaland districts of Tuensang, Shamator, Kiphire, Noklak, Mon and Longleng in collectively account for 3,34,124 voters out of Nagaland’s total of 13.25 lakh voters.
Data provided by the Nagaland chief electoral officer (CEO) indicated a complete absence of voter turnout across all six districts by 4 pm.
Polling officials in Eastern Nagaland confirmed that none of the 738 polling stations spread across 20 assembly constituencies recorded any voter turnout.
Even the 20 MLAs from the area refrained from voting, with their residences being cordoned off by volunteers from respective tribal organizations to prevent any potential disruptions.
The decision to boycott the electoral process stemmed from the Chenmoho Resolution adopted by tribal bodies, advocating for non-participation in both central and state elections while pressing for the realization of the Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT) demand.
Additionally, the ENPO had announced an indefinite total shutdown effective from 6 pm on April 18 throughout Eastern Nagaland.