Congress again draws blank
The ruling NDPP and its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) retained power in Nagaland for a second successive term by winning 37 seats together in the 60-member state Assembly, for which elections were held on February 27.
The Congress, which governed the state for many years till 2003, had contested 23 seats but drew a blank once again. The grand old party had no legislator in the outgoing Assembly.
The Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party won 25 seats, eight more than its 2018 tally, while the BJP secured 12 seats, the same as last elections.
Top NDPP leader and Nagaland’s longest serving Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio (72), is now set to assume the CM’s chair for a fifth straight term.
Three cabinet ministers in the incumbent government – Minister of Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue, and Parliamentary Affairs, Neiba Kronu, Soil and Water Conservation, V Kashiho Sangtam, and Health Minister Pangyu Phom failed to retain their seats.
Besides the three ministers, 27 MLAs did not make it.
List of sitting MLAs (2018-2023) who lost their seats in the 2023 general election
| Sl. no | Name | Assembly Constituency | Party |
| 1 | Azheto Zhimomi | 3 Dimapur III | LJP |
| 2 | Namri Chang | 6 Tening | NDPP |
| 3 | Keneizhakho Nakhro | 8 Western Angami AC | IND |
| 4 | Dr. Neikiesalie Kire | 9 Kohima Town | NDPP |
| 5 | Khriehu Liezietsu | 10 Northern Angami | NPF |
| 6 | R Khing | 12 Tseminyu | NDPP |
| 7 | Vikeho Swu | 13 Pughoboto | NDPP |
| 8 | Medo Yhokha | 14 Southern Angami I | NDPP |
| 9 | Zale Neikha | 15 Southern Angami II | NCP |
| 10 | Neiba Kronu | 16 Pfutsero | NDPP |
| 11 | Kezhienyi Khalo | 17 Chizami | NPF |
| 12 | Chotisuh Sazo | 18 Chozuba | LJP |
| 13 | Yitachu | 20 Meluri | LJP |
| 14 | Imnatiba | 22 Arkakong | NDPP |
| 15 | Longrineken | 29 Jangpetkong | LJP |
| 16 | H Khehovi | 33 Suruhoto | BJP |
| 17 | Mmhonlumo Kikon | 40 Bhandari | BJP |
| 18 | Eshak Konyak | 47 Aboi | NDPP |
| 19 | EE Panteang | 48 Moka | NDPP |
| 20 | Nganglang Phom | 49 Tamlu | NDPP |
| 21 | Pangnyu Phom | 50 Longleng | BJP |
| 22 | Chuba Chang | 51 Noksen | NDPP |
| 23 | Toyang Chang | 53 Tuensang Sadar 1 | NCP |
| 24 | Bongkhao Konyak | 55 Tobu | NDPP |
| 25 | H Haiying | 56 Noklak | BJP |
| 26 | Khumo Khiamniungan | 57 Thonoknyu | NDPP |
| 27 | Kashiho Sangtam | 59 Seyochung Sitimi | BJP |
| 28 | Yangseo Sangtam | 60 Pungro Kiphire | RPI |
The NDPP and BJP, which contested the elections in a 40:20 seat-sharing arrangement, had announced before the elections that if voted to power, Rio would retain the Chief Minister’s post.
Rio defeated Congress’ Seyievelie Sachu, a greenhorn in the political arena, in Northern Angami II by a record margin of 15,824 votes.
Deputy Chief Minister and BJP legislative party leader Yanthungo Patton (Tyui), former Chief Minister Taditui Rangkau Zeliang (Peren), Nagaland BJP chief Temjen Imna Along (Alongtaki) were all re-elected to the assembly.
Nagaland Congress President Kewekhape Therie lost in Dimapur against BJP’s H Tovihoto Ayemi by a margin of 6,959 votes.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also took to Twitter to congratulate the candidates on their success. “Congratulations to all the winning candidates of the Nagaland Assembly Elections 2023. As we have assured the electorates, let us pursue with sincerity to fulfill our goals and vision. May God Almighty help us,” he said.
Congratulations to all the winning candidates of the Nagaland Assembly Elections 2023. As we have assured the electorates, let us pursue with sincerity to fulfill our goals and vision. May God Almighty help us.
— Neiphiu Rio (@Neiphiu_Rio) March 2, 2023
Highest and lowest margins
Addressing a press conference in Kohima after the counting of votes, CEO Nagaland V Shashank Shekhar said the highest win margin was in 4 Ghaspani AC where BJP candidate N Jacob Zhimomi won with a margin of 20,096 against an Independent candidate. This was followed by the 11 Northern Angami NDPP Candidate Neiphiu Rio by a margin of 15,824 against the INC candidate.
The lowest margin was from 8 Western Angami NDPP candidate Salhoutuonuo Kruse, who won by a margin of seven votes against an Independent candidate. This was followed by 19-Phek AC NPF candidate Kuzholuzo Nienu against the NDPP candidate by a margin of 48.
Final vote turnout is 86.72%
He also informed that the final voting percentage is 86.72% out of which male is 85.06% and female is 87.85%.
The CEO said the overall counting process passed off smoothly barring one incident in Peren.
Clarifying on the tender vote, he said in rare cases, a person casts a vote in another person’s name. In this case, since the formal voting has already taken place, the same vote cast for a second time cannot be counted.
He added that legal courses will be taken to try and establish who cast the vote in another person’s place.
The Nagaland Assembly polls were held for 59 of the 60 seats on February 25 in which 85.90% of the state’s 13.16 lakh voters had exercised their franchise.
Repolling was held in four polling stations on Tuesday.
Also read: Meet two women MLAs who scripted history in Nagaland; who are Hekani Jakhalu and Salhoutuonuo Kruse?
