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Dimapur, Jan. 11 (EMN): Nagaland went to the poll on February 27, 2018, to elect 60 member of legislative assembly (MLA) after weeks of uncertainty over the public demand to bring solution to the protracted Naga political issue before the election.
However, things took a different turn as the polling date drew near, and the election was held as scheduled by the Election Commissioner of India (CEC) after almost two months of review on poll preparedness for the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election.
As per the draft electoral rolls published on October 3, 2017, there were 11.63 lakh electorates eligible for 2018 Nagaland Assembly election. Only the polling day, the state recorded 75% voter turnout (provisional report), which was 16% less than the 2013 assembly election’s 91.26% turnout.
Voting for the 60-member assembly was held in 2154 polling stations for 59 seats, as the incumbent chief minister, Neiphiu Rio was declared elected unopposed from Northern Angami II Assembly constituency.
A total of 196 candidates were in fray for 59 seats with Rio getting elected uncontested. The Naga People’s Front (NPF) contested in 58 constituencies; pre-poll allies National Democratic Progressive party (NDPP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fought in all the constituencies on 40-20 seat-sharing; National People’s Party (NPP) sent 40 candidates; Indian National Congress contested in 18 seats; Janata Dal (United) – 13; Independent – 11; Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) – 6; Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) – 3; and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) – 2.
The counting of votes was done on March 3.
When the election results were announced, NPF emerged on top by winning 26 seats, followed by NDPP – 18, BJP – 12, NPP – 2; JD (U) – 1 and Independent – 1.
Interestingly, H. Haiying (BJP) won the Noklak constituency with a margin of just 5 votes against P. Longon (NPF), while N. Thongwang Konyak (NPF) beat Y. Mankhao Konyak (NDPP) in Mon Town constituency by 28 votes and Namduadi Rangkau Zeliang (NPF) who won the Tenning constituency with a margin of 32 votes against Namri Nchang (NDPP) in the 2018 Nagaland Assemble election.
The pre-poll allies – NDPP and BJP – went on to form the government with support from other smaller parties before an all-party government was formed in 2021 in an attempt to facilitate the settlement of protracted Naga political issue.
Meanwhile, 21 MLAs from NPF, two from NPP and one from JD (U) merged with the NDPP, taking the number of legislators from the party to 42, while BJP’s number remained unchanged, NPF reduced to just four and Independent increased to two.
Here is complete list of candidates who won in the 2018 state assembly election and bye-polls necessitated by the death of a few legislators during their tenure, to give you a clear picture of the NLA.
Dimapur-II A/C: Moatoshi Longkumer (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Dimapur-III A/C: Azheto Zhimomi (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Peren A/C: Taditui Rangkau Zeliang (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Western Angami A/C: Keneizhakho Nakhro (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Northern Angami-I A/C: Khriehu Liezietsu (NPF)
Pughoboto A/C: Y. Vikheho Swu (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Chizami A/C: Kezhienyi Khalo (NPF)
Chozuba A/C: Chotisuh Sazo (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Phek A/C: Kuzholuzo Nienu (NPF)
Meluri A/C: Yitachu (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Tuli A/C: Amenba Yaden (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Impur A/C: Dr Imtiwapang Aier (NPF) - switched to NDPP
NOTE: Seat vacant due death of Dr Imtiwapang Aier on Jan. 7, 2023
Mongoya A/C: Ngangshi K Ao (NPF)
Koridang A/C: Imkong L Imchen (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Wokha A/C: Dr. Chumben Murry (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Wakching A/C: Y.M.Yollow Konyak (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Tehok A/C: C.L John (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Mon Town A/C: N. Thongwang Konyak (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Aboi A/C: Eshak Konyak (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Moka A/C: E. E. Pangteang (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Tamlu A/C: B. S. Nganlang Phom (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Tuensang Sadar-I A/C: Toyang Chang (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Tuensang Sadar-II A/C: Kejong Chang (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Pungro Kiphire A/C: T. Torechu (NPF)
NOTE: T. Yangseo Sangtam (Independent) won 2021 bypoll necessitated by the death of T. Torechu
Longkhim Chare A/C: Muthingnyuba Sangtam (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Atoizu A/C: Picto (NPF) - switched to NDPP
Ghaspani-II A/C: Zhaleo Rio (NDPP)
Tenning A/C: Namri Nchang (NDPP)
Kohima Town A/C: Dr.Neikiesalie Nicky Kire (NDPP)
Tseminyu A/C: R. Khing (NDPP)
Southern Angami-I A/C: Vikho-O Yhoshü (NDPP)
NOTE: Medo Yhokha (NDPP) won 2021 bypoll necessitated by the death of Vikho-o Yhoshü
Southern Angami-II A/C: Zale Neikha (NDPP)
Pfutsero A/C: Neiba Kronu (NDPP)
Aonglenden A/C: Imtikumzuk Longkumer (NDPP)
NOTE: Sharingain Longkumer (NDPP) won 2019 bypoll necessitated by the death of Imtikumzuk Longkumer
Mokokchung Town A/C: Metsubo Jamir (NDPP)
Aghunato A/C: Pukhayi (NDPP)
Sanis A/C: Mhathung Yanthan (NDPP)
Tapi A/C: Noke (NDPP)
Phomching A/C: Pohwang Konyak (NDPP)
Noksen A/C: C.M. Chang (NDPP)
NOTE: H. Chuba Chang (NDPP) win 2021 bypoll necessitated by the death of C. M. Chang
Tobu A/C: N. Bongkhao Konyak (NDPP)
Shamator Chessore A/C: Toshi Wungtung (NDPP)
NOTE: Keoshu Yimchunger (MDPP) won in 2021 bypoll necessitated by the death of Toshi Wungtung
Northern Angami- II A/C: Neiphiu Rio (NDPP)
Dimapur-I A/C: H. Tovihoto Ayemi (BJP)
Ghaspani-I A/C: N. Jacob Zhimomi (BJP)
Jangpetkong A/C: Longrineken (BJP)
Alongtaki A/C: Temjen Imna Along (BJP)
Akuluto A/C: Kazheto Kinimi (BJP)
Suruhoto A/C: H Khehovi (BJP)
Tyui A/C: Yanthungo Patton (BJP)
Bhandari A/C: Mmhonlumo Kikon (BJP)
Tizit A/C: P. Paiwang Konyak (BJP)
Longleng A/C: S Pangnyu Phom (BJP)
Noklak A/C: H. Haiying (BJP)
Seyochung Sitimi A/C: V. Kashiho Sangtam (BJP)
Arkakong A/C: Imnatiba (NPP) - switched to NDPP
Thonoknyu A/C: L.Khumo Khiamniungan (NPP) - switched to NDPP
Satakha A/C: G. Kaito Aye (JD-U) - switched to NDPP
Angetyongpang A/C: Tongpang Ozukum (IND)