Elections to the Lok Sabha: Six districts in Nagaland saw no votes due to demands for their own territory

The Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO), the apex organization of the region’s seven tribal groups, called for an indefinite closure on Friday in order to push its demand for a separate state. As a result, six districts in eastern Nagaland seemed abandoned.

While the situation is calm, no one is moving, according to sources, with the exception of the district administration and other emergency services.

Extra Election workers are stationed at 738 voting places throughout the six districts of Nagaland, according to Chief Electoral Officer Awa Loring.

According to sources, voter turnout did not occur till 11 a.m. The polls close at 4 p.m.

Seven Naga tribes— Chang, Konyak, Sangtam, Phom, Yimkhiung, Khiamniungan, and Tikhir—live in these regions. A portion of the Sumi tribe that lives in the area supports their aspiration for their own state.

An “indefinite total shutdown all over Eastern Nagaland jurisdiction with effect from 6pm on April 18 (Thursday)” was declared by the ENPO on March 5.

Since 2010, the group has called for the creation of a distinct state, arguing that the six districts have been disregarded for a long time.

The six districts in Eastern Nagaland account for 4,00,632 of Nagaland’s 13.25 voters.

Vayasan R, the CEO of Nagaland, sent a show-cause notice to the ENPO on Thursday night, seeing the bandh as an effort to exercise undue influence before the polls.

He cited Section 171C, Subsection (1) of the Indian Penal Code, which states that “whoever voluntarily interferes or attempts to interfere with the free exercise of any electoral right commits the offence of undue influence at an election.”