Nominations filed for ULB polls in eastern Nagaland despite call for abstention

DIMAPUR — Despite a directive from the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) to abstain from participating in the upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections, at least 61 nominations were filed from the region on the last day of nomination.

The candidates, primarily from the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and National Congress Party (NCP), along with few Independent candidates, defied the Chenmoho resolution of February 23 which called for total abstention from all state and central elections including the ULB polls.

Following this development, the president of Phom People’s Council (PPC) -- a constituent of the ENPO-- reportedly resigned from his post over the failure to uphold the resolution.

In his purported resignation letter, addressed to the PPC vice-president, the president stated that he had “failed the people of Eastern Nagas in general and our people in particular.”

“Somebody must take the responsibility and I have concluded that, in these circumstances, it would not be right for me to remain in the office,” the president wrote.

Meanwhile, a joint forum of the PPC, the Phom Students’ Conference and Phomla Hoichem, have written to the intending candidates from the Longleng Town wards, requesting a meeting with them on Tuesday evening. 

Among others, the forum alleged that the candidates have not only violated the Chenmoho resolution but also defamed the Phom people by filing their nominations.

No updates have been received on the outcome of the meeting.

In Mon district where 21 candidates have filed nominations to three town councils in Aboi, Naginimora, and Tizit, the Konyak Union has issued a ‘summon letter’ asking them to appear at the union’s office on June 12.

Despite reports of crowds gathering at the nomination filing office in Mon town on Tuesday, a police officer from the district confirmed that no law and order issues arose during the filing process.

He said that police personnel were present at the nomination office and advised the gathered crowds to maintain a safe distance from the vicinity.

The situation will be closely monitored and analysed as it develops, he said, maintaining that, from a security standpoint, the current situation has not yet impacted law and order in the district.