2018 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election

The elections to the 13th Nagaland State Legislative Assembly was held on 27th February 2018 in 59 out of its 60 constituencies, with one member elected unopposed. The counting of votes took place on 3rd March 2018. The incumbent Naga People's Front (NPF) lost the elections, while Chief minister T. R. Zeliang retained his seat. Former NPF leader, Neiphiu Rio joined the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) before the elections. Subsequently, with two-thirds majority in the assembly, the NDPP-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance formed the government with Rio as the new Chief Minister of Nagaland.

2018 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election

← 2013 27 February 2018 2023 →
59 out of 60 seats (1 Unopposed) in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly 31 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	85.62%[1]
First party Second party Third party   Leader T. R. Zeliang Neiphiu Rio Temjen Imma Along Party NPF NDPP BJP Alliance - NDA NDA Leader's seat Peren Northern Angami II Alongtaki Last election 38 new 1 Seats won 26 18 12 Seat change 12 18 11 Popular vote 389,912 253,090 153,864 Percentage 38.8% 25.2 15.3 Swing 8.2% new 15.3%   Fourth party Fifth party   Party NPP JD(U) Alliance NDA NDA Last election new 1 Seats won 2 1 Seat change 2 Popular vote 69,506 45,089 Percentage 6.9% 4.5% Swing new 2.8%
Seatwise result map of the election
Structure of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly after the election
Chief Minister before election T. R. Zeliang NPF Chief Minister after election Neiphiu Rio NDPP

Background

The tenure of the 12th Nagaland State Legislative Assembly ended on 13th March 2018.^[2]

On 22 Jan 2018, former CM K. L. Chishi joined the BJP along with 12 other leaders and former lawmakers, including former Independent legislator Jacob Zhimomi, at an event in Dimapur.^[3]

11 parties issued a statement calling for the postponement of the polls.^[4]

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the ruling Naga Peoples' Front dissolved their electoral alliance prior to the election. The BJP instead chose to form an alliance with the newly formed Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, led by former CM Neiphiu Rio.^[5][6]

Schedule

The dates of the election were announced on 18 January 2018.^[7]

Event	Date	Day
Date for nominations	31 Jan 2018	Wednesday
Last date for filing nominations	7 Feb 2018	Wednesday
Date for scrutiny of nominations	8 Feb 2018	Thursday
Last date for withdrawal of candidatures	12 Feb 2018	Monday
Date of poll	27 Feb 2018	Tuesday
Date of counting	3 Mar 2018	Saturday
Date before which the election shall be completed	5 Mar 2018	Monday

Parties and alliances

  Naga People's Front

Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	Naga People's Front			T. R. Zeliang	58

  North East Democratic Alliance

Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party			Neiphiu Rio	40
	Bharatiya Janata Party			Temjen Imma Along	20
Total					60

  Indian National Congress

Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	Indian National Congress			Kewekhape Therie	18

Others

Party		Flag	Symbol	Leader	Seats contested
	National People's Party			Conrad Sangma	25
	Janata Dal (United)			Nitish Kumar	13
	Nationalist Congress Party			Sharad Pawar	6
	Aam Aadmi Party			Arvind Kejriwal	3
	Lok Janshakti Party			Ram Vilas Paswan	2

Exit polls

Polling firm	Date published
		NDPP+	NPF	INC	Others
JanKiBaat-NewsX[8]	27 January 2018	27-32	20-25	0-2	5-7
CVoter[8]	27 January 2018	25-31	19-25	0-4	6-10

Result

9 parties registered to contest the election, as well as a further 11 independent candidates. Lok Sabha MP and former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party was declared elected uncontested in the Northern Angami II constituency after no other candidate was nominated against him.^[9]

The scheduled election in Northern Angami II constituency did not take place as only incumbent MLA Neiphiu Rio was nominated and was therefore declared elected unopposed.^[10][11]

Parties and coalitions		Popular vote			Seats
		Votes	%	±pp	Candidates	Won	+/−
	Naga People's Front (NPF)	389,912	38.8		58	26	12
	NDPP (NDPP)	253,090	25.2		40	18	18
	Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)	153,864	15.3		20	12	11
	National People's Party (NPP)	69,506	6.9		25	2	2
	Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))	45,089	4.5		13	1
	Independents (IND)	43,008	4.3		11	1	7
	Indian National Congress (INC)	20,752	2.1		18	0	8
	Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)	10,693	1.1		6	0	4
	Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)	7,491	0.7		3	0
	Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)	2,765	0.3		2	0
	None of the above (NOTA)
Total		1,004,760	100.00		196	60	±0
Valid votes		1,004,760	97.53
Invalid votes		2,489	2.47
Votes cast / turnout		1,007,249	85.62
Abstentions		169,183	14.38
Registered voters		1,176,432

Results by constituency

• Winner, runner-up, voter turnout, and victory margin in every constituency^[12][13]

Assembly Constituency		Turnout	Winner					Runner Up					Margin
#k	Names	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%	Candidate	Party		Votes	%
1	Dimapur I	80.90	H. Tovihoto Ayemi		BJP	11,721	63.16	Pukhavi Yepthomi		NPF	5,121	27.60	6,600
2	Dimapur II	74.14	Moatoshi Longkumer		NPF	21,942	56.26	Supulebten		NDPP	15,003	38.47	6,939
3	Dimapur III	81.14	Azheto Zhimomi		NPF	13,162	48.40	Tokheho		NDPP	11,024	40.54	2,138
4	Ghaspani I	78.94	Jacob Zhimomi		BJP	23,391	44.44	Z. Kasheto Yeptho		IND	20,796	39.51	2,595
5	Ghaspani II	86.52	Zhaleo Rio		NDPP	10,939	47.55	Kevingulie Khro		NPF	6,023	26.18	4,916
6	Tening	76.99	Namri Nchang		NDPP	7,018	34.08	Namduadi Rangkau Zeliang		NPF	6,850	33.26	168
7	Peren	78.20	T. R. Zeliang		NPF	14,064	60.48	Iherie Ndang		NDPP	8,632	37.12	5,432
8	Western Angami	82.42	Keneizhakho Nakhro		NPF	6,516	46.21	Kevisekho Kruse		NDPP	5,822	41.29	694
9	Kohima Town	72.64	Neikiesalie Nicky Kire		NDPP	12,605	53.78	Tseilhoutuo Rhütso		NPF	10,233	43.66	2,372
10	Northern Angami I	76.95	Khriehu Liezietsu		NPF	7,782	58.21	Kekhrielhoulie Yhome		NDPP	5,266	39.39	2,516
11	Northern Angami II	-	Neiphiu Rio		NDPP	Elected Unopposed
12	Tseminyü	90.05	R. Khing		NDPP	7,925	35.82	Levi Rengma		NPP	7,062	31.92	863
13	Pughoboto	93.31	Y. Vikheho Swu		NPF	6,258	48.21	Sukhato A. Sema		BJP	6,188	47.67	70
14	Southern Angami I	84.87	Vikho-o Yhoshü		NDPP	5,821	50.82	Medokul Sophie		NPP	3,739	32.64	2,082
15	Southern Angami II	82.23	Zale Neikha		NDPP	7,563	52.10	Kropol Vitsu		NPF	6,792	46.79	771
16	Pfütsero	81.92	Neiba Kronu		NDPP	6,228	36.17	Thenucho		NPF	4,914	28.54	1,314
17	Chizami	89.15	Kezhienyi Khalo		NPF	6,563	42.27	Kevechutso Doulo		BJP	6,160	39.67	403
18	Chozuba	88.76	Chotisuh Sazo		NPF	11,432	51.39	Kudecho Khamo		NDPP	10,490	47.16	942
19	Phek	84.63	Küzholuzo Nienü		NPF	11,127	60.28	Kupota Khesoh		NDPP	6,196	33.57	4,931
20	Meluri	92.26	Yitachu		NPF	7,928	46.68	Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe		NDPP	7,854	46.24	74
21	Tuli	83.44	Amenba Yaden		NPF	3,865	26.44	L. Temjen Jamir		JD(U)	2,979	20.38	886
22	Arkakong	87.70	Imnatiba		NPP	6,307	43.49	Nuklutoshi		NPF	5,514	38.02	793
23	Impur	95.00	Imtiwapang Aier		NPF	4,852	49.70	T. N. Mannen		NDPP	4,790	49.06	62
24	Angetyongpang	80.34	Tongpang Ozüküm		IND	4,607	36.03	Alemtemshi Jamir		NDPP	3,657	28.60	950
25	Mongoya	84.83	Ngangshi K. Ao		NPF	6,883	49.12	Alemtemshi Jamir		NDPP	6,535	46.64	348
26	Aonglenden	85.42	Imtikümzük Longkümer		NDPP	5,206	47.92	Toshipokba		NPF	5,118	47.11	88
27	Mokokchung Town	78.09	Metsübo Jamir		NDPP	2,964	50.08	Chubatoshi Apok Jamir		NPF	1,960	33.11	1,004
28	Koridang	90.51	Imkong L. Imchen		NPF	7,525	46.42	T. Chalukumba Ao		NPP	7,397	45.64	128
29	Jangpetkong	90.31	Longrineken		BJP	3,615	35.09	E. T. Sunup		NPF	3,339	32.41	276
30	Alongtaki	82.73	Temjen Imna Along		BJP	5,981	49.96	Benjongliba Aier		NPF	5,895	49.24	86
31	Akuluto	89.55	Kazheto Kinimi		BJP	4,844	52.57	K. Khekaho Assumi		NPF	4,109	44.60	735
32	Atoizu	92.79	Picto Sohe		NPF	7,643	51.26	Kiyezhe L. Chishi		BJP	6,805	45.64	838
33	Suruhoto	88.22	H. Khehovi		BJP	10,860	79.78	Kaito Jakhalu		NPF	2,301	16.90	8,559
34	Aghunato	76.82	Pukhayi		NDPP	6,399	53.96	Hukiye N. Tissica		NPF	4,978	41.98	1,421
35	Zünheboto	79.45	K. Tokugha Sukhalu		NDPP	9,430	55.39	S. Hukavi Zhimomi		NPF	6,882	40.42	2,548
36	Satakha	82.80	G. Kaito Aye		JD(U)	6,431	47.18	Zheito Chophy		NPF	3,888	28.53	2,543
37	Tyüi	93.10	Yanthungo Patton		BJP	11,709	53.51	Yankithung Yanthan		NPF	8,617	39.38	3,092
38	Wokha	84.06	Chumben Murry		NPF	14,870	54.13	Y. Mhonbemo Humtsoe		JD(U)	6,315	22.99	8,555
39	Sanis	94.42	Mhathung Yanthan		NDPP	10,548	49.19	Ramongo Lotha		JD(U)	7,556	35.23	2,992
40	Bhandari	94.58	Mmhonlümo Kikon		BJP	11,205	44.72	Achumbemo Kikon		NPF	10,893	43.47	312
41	Tizit	93.63	P. Paiwang Konyak		BJP	6,981	40.75	Y. Wangto Konyak		IND	4,595	26.82	2,386
42	Wakching	93.59	Y. M. Yollow Konyak		NPF	7,808	55.05	M. C. Konyak		NDPP	6,044	42.61	1,764
43	Tapi	91.29	Noke Wangnao		NDPP	4,284	37.17	N. Aphoa Konyak		JD(U)	3,047	26.44	1,237
44	Phomching	89.46	Pohwang Konyak		NDPP	6,611	44.64	K. Konngam Konyak		NPF	5,979	40.37	632
45	Tehok	92.18	C. L. John		NPF	7,463	68.54	C. Kawang Konyak		BJP	2,907	26.70	4,556
46	Mon Town	89.89	N. Thongwang Konyak		NPF	5,429	31.99	Y. Mankhao Konyak		NDPP	5,401	31.83	28
47	Aboi	94.04	E. Eshak Konyak		NPF	6,036	52.88	Awan Konyak		NDPP	5,131	44.95	905
48	Moka	94.46	E. E. Pangteang		NPF	7,684	50.00	K. Kiko Konyak		NDPP	7,536	49.04	148
49	Tamlu	94.20	B. S. Nganlang Phom		NPF	6,582	41.66	B. Phongshak Phom		NDPP	5,624	35.60	958
50	Longleng	94.53	S. Pangnyu Phom		BJP	9,987	40.80	Y. B. Angam Phom		NPP	8,981	36.69	1,006
51	Noksen	86.37	C. M. Chang		NDPP	4,436	43.07	W. Chingmak Chang		NPF	3,860	37.48	576
52	Longkhim Chare	93.80	Muthingnyuba Sangtam		NPF	9,316	46.37	A. Imtilemba Sangtam		BJP	7,468	37.17	1,848
53	Tuensang Sadar I	78.62	Toyang Chang		NPF	10,087	56.88	T. Mongko Chang		NDPP	6,828	38.50	3,259
54	Tuensang Sadar II	89.02	Kejong Chang		NPF	6,204	45.64	H. Zungkum Chang		NCP	4,405	32.41	1,799
55	Tobu	95.35	N. Bongkhao Konyak		NDPP	9,732	54.31	Naiba Konyak		NPF	7,991	44.59	1,741
56	Noklak	89.27	H. Haiying		BJP	5,643	39.98	P. Longon		NPF	5,638	39.95	5
57	Thonoknyu	87.47	L. Khumo Khiamniungan		NPP	8,389	51.32	S. Heno Khiamniungan		NPF	4,345	26.58	4,044
58	Shamator–Chessore	86.25	Toshi Wungtung		NDPP	4,311	28.41	R. Tohanba		NPF	4,004	26.38	307
59	Seyochung–Sitimi	85.30	V. Kashiho Sangtam		BJP	9,830	52.28	C. Kipili Sangtam		NPF	8,668	46.10	1,162
60	Pungro–Kiphire	78.32	T. Torechu		NPF	8,056	35.18	T. Yangseo Sangtam		JD(U)	7,583	33.11	473

Government Formation

Neiphiu Rio, the leader of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Nagaland on 8 March 2018. The ministry had 12 Cabinet ministers including the Chief Minister. Four incumbents including the Chief Minister belonged to the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, while six ministers including the Deputy Chief Minister belong to the Bharatiya Janata Party. One minister was a Naga People's Front MLA. One minister is an Independent MLA.^{[14][15][16][17][18]} Later, two MLAs from NPP and one from JD(U) merged with Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party

By-elections (2018-2023)

S.No	Date	Constituency	MLA before election	Party before election		Elected MLA	Party after election
26	11 April 2019	Aonglenden	Imtikumzuk Longkumer		Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party	Sharingain Longkumer		Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
14	3 November 2020	Southern Angami-I	Vikho-o Yhoshü			Medo Yhokha
60		Pungro Kiphire	T. Torechu		Naga People's Front	T Yangseo Sangtam		Independent
51	17 April 2021	Noksen	C. M. Chang		Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party	H. Chuba Chang		Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party
58	30 October 2021	Shamator Chessore	Toshi Wungtung			Keoshu Yimchunger

See also

• Elections in India
• 2018 elections in India