Polls were held across Nagaland on 19 April 2024 to elect the state's sole member of parliament. However, in six north-eastern districts, not a single ballot was cast as residents boycotted the vote, demanding the creation of a new separate state.
The unprecedented boycott led to zero turnout across the districts of Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, Shamatore and Tuensang. It was in response to a call by the Eastern Nagaland People's Organisation (ENPO) - which is demanding a separate administration with more financial autonomy called the 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' (FNT).
According to Awa Loring, Additional Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland, election officials dutifully reported for duty at all 738 polling stations across the six districts that encompass 20 assembly constituencies. However, their nine-hour vigil from 7 am to 4 pm was in vain, as not a single voter from the over 400,000 registered in the region turned up to exercise their franchise, sources from the Chief Electoral Officer's office stated.
The boycott was comprehensive, with even the 20 elected MLAs representing those constituencies abstaining from casting their votes. Despite making all requisite arrangements, officials oversaw empty polling booths as the region's populace gave the elections a complete miss. The boycott impacted around 400,632 voters - almost a third of Nagaland's 1.325 million-strong electorate.
The ENPO, an apex body representing seven tribal groups, has been spearheading the statehood movement, alleging lack of development in the eastern region by successive governments. Ahead of the polls, it declared a "public emergency" and called for a total shutdown and boycott.
"Officials said there is no movement of people or vehicles on major streets in eastern Nagaland except those of the district administrations and other emergency services," a source reported.
However, the boycott has put the ENPO on a collision course with Indian election authorities. Nagaland's Chief Election Officer R. Vyasan issued a notice accusing the group of "attempting to use undue influence" by interfering with voting rights, which could constitute an offence under the Indian Penal Code.
But the ENPO dismissed these allegations. Its president Tsapikiu Sangtam said the "main goal" was to "reduce the possibility of disturbances" and that declaring an emergency after consultations with stakeholders was a "voluntary initiative" by the people.
"Given that the shutdown was a voluntary initiative by the people, there was no question of coercion or enforcement by the ENPO or any other authority," Sangtam's statement said, adding they are willing to cooperate with the Election Commission "if there has been any misunderstanding or misinterpretation."
The ENPO had held a closed-door meeting with the 20 Eastern Nagaland MLAs on 30 March, where they reiterated the decision to boycott the Lok Sabha polls. The Eastern Nagaland Legislators' Union had asked the ENPO to reconsider, but a day later the group told the Election Commission the boycott decision "reflects the sentiments and aspirations of the people who have tirelessly advocated for our rights and aspirations within the framework of democratic governance."
Nagaland's Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appeared sympathetic, saying his government has recommended autonomous powers for the FNT region. "Everything looks okay except the power-sharing the elected legislators of the region and members of the proposed FNT," he said after voting.
Rio urged dialogue between the MLAs and ENPO. "The state government has nothing to do with this. The MLAs and ENPO should sit across the table to work out a formula. We can talk only after that," he stated, adding his government did not want any confrontation over the legislators' boycott.
The ENPO has been demanding a separate state comprising the six districts. It gave a similar boycott call during last year's assembly polls too, before withdrawing it after assurances from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Home minister promised to give FNT to ENPO at the time of the last general election of Nagaland. This promise wasn’t fulfilled by the Home Minister and the state government. As a result, people decided to not participate in this Lok Sabha election,” said Pastor A. Samantha from Nagaland stating the reason for this boycott to Christian Today India.
Nagaland's lone Lok Sabha seat has been held by the BJP ally Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party's Tokheho Yepthomi since a 2018 bypoll.
