All Nagaland College Students’ Union Tribunal upholds 2025–27 poll results after extraordinary assembly

The Tribunal of the All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU) on Tuesday reaffirmed the validity of the union’s declared 2025–2027 election results after convening an extraordinary assembly at Solidarity Park, Kohima. The assembly was held following allegations raised by some students and colleges over the eligibility of certain elected candidates during the recently concluded 22nd Biennial General Conference.
Addressing the media at the ANCSU office, Tribunal General Vimeyiekho Vitso, along with Tribunal members Imnamanen Jamir and Toito T. Chishi, said the assembly was convened under constitutional powers vested in the Tribunal. He said the house deliberated extensively on the allegations and issues surrounding the election.
Vitso informed that after a “threadbare and marathon discussion,” the assembly unanimously decided to uphold the Election Commission’s earlier declaration, affirming that the previously notified list of elected candidates would stand. Of the 39 affiliated colleges, 34 participated in the assembly and endorsed the decision.
On the controversy regarding eligibility under Article 22 of the ANCSU Constitution, Vitso explained that while candidates must be regular students and preferably not graduates, the same Article allows an outgoing official who has completed one tenure as a degree or regular student to contest for one additional term with recommendations from both the union and the candidate’s college.
He said the allegation against one elected candidate- who had reportedly graduated- was thoroughly reviewed. As per the 2025 election code of conduct and constitutional provisions, the candidate was deemed eligible to contest. Vitso noted that with the shift from the annual to semester academic system, some ambiguities had arisen. He said ANCSU would consider amending its constitution in the future to prevent students from being disqualified due to technical overlaps between academic sessions and election schedules.
He clarified that Monday’s meeting was not an election but an interpretative and deliberative assembly to address constitutional questions and ensure clarity within the union. The decision, he said, was made “in the best interest of ANCSU, the colleges, and the student fraternity.” Responding to questions on the constitutionality of the extraordinary assembly, Vitso asserted that the meeting was “entirely constitutional.” He said it was convened by the Tribunal after allegations were made against the Speaker for failing to maintain decorum and properly conduct the earlier conference proceedings. “Since the Speaker was alleged to have failed in conducting the proceedings, it compelled the Tribunal to convene the assembly. Therefore, the action was within constitutional provisions,” he stated.
Reiterating the Tribunal’s stance, Vitso said the assembly’s consensus- backed by 34 colleges- affirmed that the 2025-2027 ANCSU election results remain valid and constitutional.