Boycott of tribal organization, not a single vote was cast in six districts of Nagaland

Kohima, 19 April (HS). Due to the boycott by tribal organizations of six districts of eastern Nagaland, not a single vote was cast in the first phase of voting in 20 assembly constituencies on Friday. There was silence at the polling stations. Even 20 MLAs from this area did not vote. The Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland has issued a notice to these organizations.

In fact, Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO), an organization of tribes of all the six districts of Nagaland bordering Myanmar, had announced to boycott the Lok Sabha elections if the demand of a separate state named Frontier Nagaland is not met. Due to this, not a single vote was cast in any of the 20 assembly constituencies. The Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland has issued a notice to these organizations if not a single vote was cast till 1 pm on Friday.

The boycott call was made by ENPO, representing seven tribal groups in the region which has over four lakh voters. This organization has been demanding a separate state since 2010. Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamtor and Noklak districts of Nagaland constitute the ENPO region.