2003 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election

Elections to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly were held in February 2003 to elect members of the 60 constituencies in Nagaland, India. The Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, which was formed of the Naga People's Front, the Bharatiya Janata Party, Janata Dal (United) and the Samata Party,^[1] won a majority of seats and Neiphiu Rio was appointed as the Chief Minister of Nagaland. The number of constituencies was set as 60 by the recommendation of the Delimitation Commission of India.^[2]

2003 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election

← 1998 26 February 2003 2008 →
All 60 seats in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly 31 seats needed for a majority
Registered	1,014,841
Turnout	87.85%
Majority party Minority party Third party   Leader Neiphiu Rio S.C. Jamir Hokishe Sema Party NPF INC BJP Leader since 2002 Leader's seat Northern Angami-II Aonglenden Dimapur-I Seats before New 53 Seats won 19 21 7 Seat change New 32 New Popular vote 29.76% 35.86% 10.88%
CM before election S. C. Jamir INC Elected CM Neiphiu Rio NPF

Background

After the previous elections in 1998, Neiphiu Rio, was made the Home minister in S C Jamir's cabinet, but he resigned from the Congress in September 2002, accusing the chief minister of blocking a negotiated settlement on the Naga issue.^[3] After his resignation, Rio joined the Naga People's Front which partnered with other Naga regionalist parties and the state branch of the Bharatiya Janata Party under his leadership, to form the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland.

Parties contested

Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	Indian National Congress			S. C. Jamir	60
	Naga People's Front			Neiphiu Rio	56
	Bharatiya Janata Party			L. K. Advani	38
	Nationalist Democratic Movement			K. L. Chishi	25
	Janata Dal (United)			Nitish Kumar	13
	Nationalist Congress Party			P. A. Sangma	7
	Samata Party			George Fernandes	4
	Rashtriya Lok Dal			Ajit Singh	3
	All India Trinamool Congress			Mamata Banerjee	2
	Nagaland Democratic Party			Roland Lotha	2

Result

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/–
	Indian National Congress	318,671	35.86	21	32
	Naga People's Front	264,534	29.76	19	New
	Bharatiya Janata Party	96,658	10.88	7	New
	Nationalist Democratic Movement	84,699	9.53	5	New
	Janata Dal (United)	51,562	5.80	3	New
	Samata Party	10,456	1.18	1	New
	Nationalist Congress Party	17,726	1.99	0	New
	All India Trinamool Congress	2,951	0.33	0	New
	Rashtriya Lok Dal	1,796	0.20	0	New
	Nagaland Democratic Party	423	0.05	0	New
	Independents	39,285	4.42	4	3
Total		888,761	100.00	60	0
Valid votes		888,761	99.69
Invalid/blank votes		2,736	0.31
Total votes		891,497	100.00
Registered voters/turnout		1,014,841	87.85
Source: ECI[4]

Results by constituency

• Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituency^[5]

Assembly Constituency		Turnout	Winner					Runner Up					Margin
#k	Names	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%
1	Dimapur I	66.11	Hokishe Sema		BJP	7,494	52.70	Kevi Zakiesatuo		INC	4,080	28.69	3,414
2	Dimapur II	63.25	Y. Hewoto Awomi		NPF	14,006	48.19	Imtisunget Jamir		INC	13,218	45.48	788
3	Dimapur III	83.73	Kihoto Hollohon		NDM	6,549	46.03	Azheto Zhimomi		NPF	6,263	44.02	286
4	Ghaspani I	82.50	H. Khekiho Zhimomi		NPF	22,888	50.95	Dr. Kanito		INC	9,600	21.37	13,288
5	Ghaspani II	88.12	Rokonicha		INC	6,337	30.21	Dr. Kakheto Zhimomi		NDM	5,970	28.46	367
6	Tening	95.36	T. R. Zeliang		INC	6,374	35.17	Namri Nchang		NPF	4,175	23.04	2,199
7	Peren	90.33	Vatsu Meru		NPF	7,869	42.10	Neiba Ndang		INC	6,658	35.63	1,211
8	Western Angami	72.87	Kiyanilie Peseyie		NPF	5,192	40.20	Asu Keyho		INC	4,226	32.72	966
9	Kohima Town	64.78	Z. Obed		NPF	8,367	44.83	T. Abao Kire		INC	7,870	42.17	497
10	Northern Angami I	61.49	Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu		NPF	5,502	53.91	Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu		INC	4,703	46.09	799
11	Northern Angami II	87.07	Neiphiu Rio		NPF	9,882	67.60	Zakio Metha		INC	3,815	26.10	6,067
12	Tseminyü	96.15	R. Khing		JD(U)	8,327	38.91	Nillo		INC	6,612	30.89	1,715
13	Pughoboto	85.45	Huska Sumi		JD(U)	5,745	49.25	Joshua Achumi		INC	4,593	39.38	1,152
14	Southern Angami I	76.63	Medokul Sophie		INC	2,845	30.23	Mavil Khieya		NPF	2,415	25.66	430
15	Southern Angami II	85.40	Viswesül Pusa		INC	5,466	56.28	Zaku Tsukru		NPF	4,247	43.72	1,219
16	Pfütsero	87.61	Kewekhape		NPF	8,268	51.04	Lhiweshelo Mero		INC	6,765	41.76	1,503
17	Chizami	94.63	Deo Nukhu		SMP	4,616	34.71	Zhovehu Lohe		INC	3,769	28.34	847
18	Chozuba	93.33	Thenucho		NPF	6,166	35.85	Nuzota Swuro		INC	4,295	24.97	1,871
19	Phek	93.87	Küzholuzo Nienü		NPF	9,084	59.09	Zachilhu Vadeo		INC	6,282	40.86	2,802
20	Meluri	97.35	Yitachu		NPF	5,557	41.37	Khuosatho		INC	4,832	35.97	725
21	Tuli	98.78	T. Tali		INC	10,131	57.71	L. Temjen Jamir		NPF	7,423	42.28	2,708
22	Arkakong	99.66	Takatiba Masa Ao		INC	7,950	51.52	Imtiyanger		NPF	7,452	48.29	498
23	Impur	97.96	Nungsangyapang		INC	7,597	58.05	T. Yubangnenba		NPF	5,488	41.93	2,109
24	Angetyongpang	87.44	Jonshilemba		IND	4,535	42.14	Tongpang Ozüküm		INC	2,094	19.46	2,441
25	Mongoya	87.05	S. Supongmeren Jamir		INC	7,081	67.43	Nungsanginba		NPF	3,145	29.95	3,936
26	Aonglenden	95.70	S. C. Jamir		INC	8,714	89.46	Chubalemla		NPF	928	9.53	7,786
27	Mokokchung Town	72.84	Nungshizenba		INC	1,937	53.49	L. Nokzenketba		NPF	1,675	46.26	262
28	Koridang	97.56	Imkong L. Imchen		IND	7,258	42.37	T. Nokyu Longchar		INC	6,894	40.24	364
29	Jangpetkong	78.86	I. Imkong		INC	6,329	74.01	Chubatemjen Ao		NPF	1,497	17.50	4,832
30	Alongtaki	85.84	Tiameren		BJP	7,423	59.81	T. Saku Aier		INC	4,988	40.19	2,435
31	Akuluto	78.91	Khetoho		NPF	3,318	54.43	Kazheto Kinimi		INC	2,778	45.57	540
32	Atoizu	87.65	Doshehe Y. Sema		INC	3,200	33.68	Kiyezhe L. Chishi		NDM	3,182	33.49	18
33	Suruhoto	90.99	Khutovi		IND	4,209	45.28	Kiyezhe Aye		INC	2,516	27.07	1,693
34	Aghunato	77.10	Tokheho Yepthomi		INC	4,363	54.56	Pukhayi		NDM	3,608	45.12	755
35	Zünheboto	72.54	S. Hukavi Zhimomi		NDM	4,700	44.86	Kakheho		INC	4,573	43.65	127
36	Satakha	79.33	Kaito		INC	3,792	40.88	Kughavi		NPF	3,048	32.86	744
37	Tyüi	90.32	Yankithung Yanthan		INC	8,108	49.45	T. A. Ngullie		BJP	5,496	33.52	2,612
38	Wokha	77.82	Dr. T. M. Lotha		BJP	8,347	35.33	A. Yentsao Odyuo		NPF	5,755	24.36	2,592
39	Sanis	94.80	Nkhao Lotha		NPF	5,168	26.74	Y. Sulanthung H. Lotha		NCP	5,131	26.55	37
40	Bhandari	84.24	E. Thungohamo Ezung		NDM	5,240	30.96	L. Yanthungo Patton		INC	4,554	26.90	686
41	Tizit	96.69	N. Yeangphong Konyak		NPF	5,387	39.21	Aloh Wangham		NDM	4,056	29.52	1,331
42	Wakching	92.16	M. C. Konyak		BJP	5,859	51.67	P. Enyei Konyak		INC	5,408	47.69	451
43	Tapi	98.43	Noke Wangnao		NPF	3,328	31.90	Lanpha Konyak		INC	3,151	30.20	177
44	Phomching	98.22	Kongam		INC	9,399	58.62	Pohwang Konyak		NPF	4,841	30.19	4,558
45	Tehok	98.16	W. Wongyuh Konyak		INC	6,748	51.22	Noklem		NPF	4,729	35.90	2,019
46	Mon Town	83.95	Chingwang		INC	5,701	43.59	S. Yokten		NPF	4,260	32.57	1,441
47	Aboi	97.53	Nyeiwang Konyak		NPF	3,721	43.17	E. Eshak Konyak		BJP	2,955	34.28	766
48	Moka	99.43	E. E. Pangteang		NPF	5,837	45.38	A. Nyamnyei Konyak		INC	4,282	33.29	1,555
49	Tamlu	99.94	Nyemli Phom		INC	9,427	31.33	B. Bangtick Phom		NDM	8,947	29.73	480
50	Longleng	99.86	Chenlom Phom		JD(U)	8,595	27.52	Pukyong Phom		NPF	7,895	25.27	700
51	Noksen	98.81	H. Chuba Chang		INC	4,478	56.12	C. M. Chang		NPF	3,495	43.80	983
52	Longkhim Chare	91.84	Imtilemba Sangtam		BJP	7,211	50.81	S. Kyukhangba Sangtam		INC	6,968	49.09	243
53	Tuensang Sadar I	94.17	P. Chuba		IND	5,595	36.95	Nungsang		INC	5,504	36.34	91
54	Tuensang Sadar II	98.79	A. Lakiumong Yimchunger		BJP	4,595	35.85	Wongto		NDM	4,104	32.01	491
55	Tobu	98.09	K. Naiba Konyak		NPF	5,792	48.05	A. Thongo Mukiano		INC	5,199	43.13	593
56	Noklak	95.39	Puthai Longon		NPF	5,736	53.26	Sedem Khaming		INC	4,793	44.51	943
57	Thonoknyu	98.24	S. Heno Khiamniungan		NDM	4,371	36.06	N. L. Aimong		INC	2,242	18.50	2,129
58	Shamator–Chessore	98.54	K. Yamakam		INC	4,602	30.15	Zungkum		NPF	4,379	28.68	223
59	Seyochung–Sitimi	99.51	C. Kipili Sangtam		NDM	10,476	64.23	S. Sethricho Sangtam		INC	4,940	30.29	5,536
60	Pungro–Kiphire	98.51	T. Torechu		BJP	10,246	46.16	Tsepikiu		NPF	9,071	40.86	1,175

See also

• List of constituencies of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly
• 2003 elections in India