counting-begins-for-historic-nagaland-ulb-polls

Counting of votes commenced on Saturday for Nagaland's civic body polls, marking a significant return after a gap of two decades.

 

The tallying for elections to 24 urban local bodies—comprising three municipalities and 21 town councils—spanning 10 districts, began at 8 am across 16 centres, according to the State Election Commission.

 

In a notable win, the NDPP clinched the Chiephobozou Town Council in Kohima, with candidates securing uncontested victories across all nine wards.

 

A robust voter turnout of nearly 82% was recorded among the over 2.23 lakh electors during the civic polls held on June 26. Notably, these elections marked the debut of 33% reservation for women, a first in Nagaland's electoral history since 2004.

 

Despite previous attempts by the government to conduct these elections, objections from tribal bodies and civil society groups over women's reservation and property taxation had delayed the polls.

 

A total of 523 candidates from 11 political parties contested, with an additional 64 nominees elected uncontested across various civic bodies.

 

Key contenders included the NDPP, BJP, Congress, NPF, Rising Peoples’ Party, RPI (Athawale), JD(U), LJP, NCP, and the NPP.

 

However, 14 urban local bodies in six districts of Eastern Nagaland did not witness elections due to boycotts by tribal bodies, notably the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO), advocating for a 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' citing neglect of the region.

 

Despite 59 nominations from the region being accepted, pressure from tribal bodies compelled candidates to withdraw their nominations.