After making vain efforts to stave off a decision to not participate in the forthcoming elections with a rider that “if all agree”; eventually the 11 political parties on Monday agreed to not distribute party tickets or file nominations for the forthcoming Assembly elections on February 27.
The joint declaration, by the political parties, was made in the presence of the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) after the meeting at Hotel Japfu, Kohima.
The 11 political parties were represented by– I. Imkong (NPCC), N. Hotongse Sangtam (UNDP), S. Supongmeren Jamir (Nagaland Congress), Dr. S. Amos Lkr (AAP), Kheto Sema (BJP), Alemtemshi Jamir (NDPP), Vanthungo Odyuo (NCP), S. Richard Humtsoe (LJP), T. Sangtam (JD-U), Shashank Ghatraj (NPP) and Apong Pongener (NPF).
The declaration read: “We firmly believe that it is expedient for all the political parties, both national and regional, to come together in the greater interest of the State in solidarity with the call Solution before Election and defer the elections to the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly and allow the Naga political process to reach its logical conclusion by giving space and time to the negotiating groups to bring out an early solution.”
They added that “all the political parties and the intending candidates have, in compliance with wishes of people, decided not to go ahead with issuance of party tickets or filling of nominations.”
CCNTHCO convenor, Theja Therieh and co-convenor, Shikuto Zalipu termed it as a “historic Joint Declaration” by all the political parties, both national and regional made in presence of the apex Naga tribal hohos and civil society organisations and the NNPGs– NSCN (I-M) and the NNPGs Working Committee.
They expressed confidence that the government of India will honour the desire of the Naga people for a Naga solution before “divisive elections” are held in Nagaland.
In the aftermath of political parties made to agree not participate in the scheduled constitutional state general elections on February 27, 2018 the stage is set for a constitutional crisis if no candidates file nominations which begin on February 7, 2018.
The ECI had announced elections to the states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura so as to constitute the new assemblies as constitutionally mandated. Then ECI is to issue notification for the elections on January 31, 2018.
The tenure of the current 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly ends on March 13, 2018 and election has to be called and the new house constituted.
In the worst case scenario, if no candidate files nomination then it will mean a breakdown of the law and order and constitutional machinery. President’s Rule will have to be imposed in such a scenario under Article 356 and the assembly placed under suspended animation or eventually dissolved.
Solution Vrs Election
Centre’s Interlocutor to Naga Peace Talks, R.N.Ravi had said ‘solution’ and ‘election’ were two different compartments and which should not be mixed together. In a recent interview to Nagaland Post, Ravi said though an early solution was desired, yet it was not time specific. However, he said elections were time specific and also a constitutional obligation that had to be fulfilled.
Several organisations including Naga political groups have been demanding deferment of polls since solution was round the corner. The lobby for ‘Solution Not Election’ led several to plead with the Centre as well as the Interlocutor, to defer elections. Ravi managed to have the ECI delay announcement of polls but on the condition that during the delay negotiating groups must guarantee signing an agreement within a specific time.
Obviously such a guarantee could not be made without conclusive negotiations. Ravi said there will be only Naga solution for all Nagas and taking the Framework Agreement as guideline.
CCNTHCO threatens state-wide bandh on Feb 1
Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) on Monday warned of calling a State-wide bandh on February 1, if Election Commission of India went ahead in issuing the election notification on January 31. This was resolved at a joint meeting of representatives of 11 political parties, tribal hohos, civil society groups, NSCN (I-M) and NNPGs Working Committee, held here under the banner of CCNTHCO.
While deeply appreciating political parties for being part of the joint declaration, the meeting also resolved that any candidate or political party found defying the call of solution before election or violating the joint declaration would be treated as anti-Nagas.
By another resolution, the meeting decided that apex tribal hohos would monitor all district and sub-divisional headquarters from February 1 till 7 so as to deter any unscrupulous and people with vested interests from filing nominations.
The resolutioin signed by CCNTHCO convener Theja Therieh, and co-convenor, H.K. Zhimomi also appealed to Nagaland Baptist Church Council and other organisations to pray for the success of the call for solution before election and to put on hold the Clean Election campaign for the moment.
While urging all candidates to stop electioneering activities immediately, the meeting also urged NNPGs to rein in their cadres, if any, from participating in the electioneering process.
Finally, the meeting resolved that political parties should honour the pledge in letter and spirit, which also meant not attending a meeting of political parties called by Chief Electoral Officer on January 30.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference at Hotel Japfu after the joint meeting, Theja Therieh said the meeting decided to call for a total bandh to express resentment of Naga people.
However, army & paramilitary, district administration, educational institutions, ambulance and medical services, and media will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
He said despite repeated representations given to government of India and parties involved in the negotiation process having reached an advanced stage when solution could be expected any time, there was no reason to prolong the dialogue any further.
Lauding the display of unity by the Nagas, the CCNTHCO convener also stated that this was the first time that tribal hohos and civil societies had come together. He also expressed his gratefulness to Nagaland Joint Christian Forum for bringing all civil bodies together to speak the same language.
Therieh was also appreciative of the 11 political parties for, despite being ready to face the election, showing respect to the sentiment of the people by being part of the joint declaration. He remarked, “They have come to the extent that they have no hesitation in signing the joint declaration.”
He admitted that it was a great risk on the part of State-level leaders of national political parties to sign the declaration without taking prior consent of their central leaders.
The convener said if all political parties walked the talk and did not issue tickets, then there would not be any candidate, even as he exuded confidence that no independent candidate would dare to defy the popular demand.
Therieh clarified that CCNTHCO was not against Indian democratic process and that the move was not anti-India either. But, he added that the moment election was announced, the dialogue process would be hampered as the focus would shift.
On NSCN (K) joining the Naga peace process, Therieh said CCNTHCO had made an appeal to the Centre to remove the tag of terrorist outfit from the organisation, while several civil society groups had appealed to the group to return to the ceasefire.
CCNTHCO will set up a temporary monitoring office at Naga Students’ Federation office, Kohima to decide on further course of action.
Saturday, May 2, 2026