Kohima, 19 April (HS): Not a single vote was cast during the first phase of voting in 20 assembly constituencies in 6 districts of Eastern Nagaland on Friday. There was silence at the polling stations. Even 20 MLAs from this area did not participate in the voting.

It may be noted that Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO), an organization of tribes of all these 6 districts of Nagaland bordering Myanmar, had announced to boycott the Lok Sabha elections in support of the demand for a separate state named Frontier Nagaland. After not a single vote was cast till 1:00 pm, the Chief Electoral Officer of Nagaland issued a notice to the organisation.

The boycott call was made by ENPO, representing seven tribal groups in the region which has over four lakh voters. This organization has been demanding a separate state since 2010. Mon, Tuensang, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamtor and Noklak districts of Nagaland constitute the ENPO region.

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash/Manoj