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.
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.
Parties and alliances
Others
Exit polls
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.
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.
Results by constituency
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