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.

Background The tenure of the 12th Nagaland State Legislative Assembly ended on 13th March 2018.

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.

11 parties issued a statement calling for the postponement of the polls.

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.

Schedule The dates of the election were announced on 18 January 2018.

EventDateDay 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

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

+ Party FlagSymbolLeaderSeats contested Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party Neiphiu Rio 40 Bharatiya Janata Party Temjen Imma Along 20 Total60

Party Flag Symbol Leader Seats contestedIndian National CongressKewekhape Therie 18

Others Party Flag SymbolLeaderSeats contestedNational People's PartyConrad Sangma25Janata Dal (United)Nitish Kumar13 Nationalist Congress Party Sharad Pawar 6Aam Aadmi PartyArvind Kejriwal3Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas Paswan2

Exit polls Polling firm Date publishedNDPP+ NPF INC Others JanKiBaat-NewsX 27 January 2018 27-32 20-25 0-2 5-7 CVoter 27 January 2018 25-31 19-25 0-4 6-10

Result Nine 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.

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. Parties and coalitionsPopular voteSeatsVotes%±ppCandidates Won +/− Naga People's Front (NPF)389,91238.8582612NDPP (NDPP)253,09025.2401818Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)153,86415.3201211National People's Party (NPP)69,5066.92522Janata Dal (United) (JD(U))45,0894.5131Independents (IND)43,0084.31117Indian National Congress (INC)20,7522.11808Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)10,6931.1604Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)7,4910.730Lok Janshakti Party (LJP)2,7650.320None of the above (NOTA)Total1,004,760100.0019660±0Valid votes1,004,76097.53Invalid votes2,4892.47Votes cast / turnout1,007,24985.62Abstentions169,18314.38Registered voters1,176,432

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

By-elections (2018-2023) S.NoDateConstituencyMLA before electionParty before electionElected MLAParty after election2611 April 2019AonglendenImtikumzuk LongkumerSharingain Longkumer14 3 November 2020 Southern Angami-I Vikho-o YhoshüMedo Yhokha60Pungro Kiphire T. TorechuT. Yangseo Sangtam5117 April 2021NoksenC. M. ChangH. Chuba Chang5830 October 2021Shamator–ChessoreToshi WungtungKeoshu Yimchunger

See also Elections in India 2018 elections in India

References

External links Election Commission of India Nagaland Legislative Assembly