Ruling Naga Peoples Front (NPF) is heading towards absolute majority and is set to return to power in Nagaland winning 22 seats and leading in nine others in the 60-member Assembly.

Prominent among those who were re-elected were Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who won Northern Angami II seat for the sixth consecutive time by 12671 votes, and will look to retain the post for the third straight time in the 12th Nagaland Assembly. He defeated Congress rival Kevise Sogotsu.

Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie won Western Angami seat for the third time defeating his Congress rival Asu Keyho by 1000 votes.

NPF, which was the major partner in the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland, had fielded candidates in all the seats.

Polling was held in 59 of the 60 seats as the Congress candidate of Tuensang Sadar seat P Chuba Chang died before the polling day on February 23.

Congress, which contested in 57 seats, is trailing far behind winning in four and leading in just two seats, while NCP has won in two seats and is leading in another two.

Among the Congress winners are Nagaland PCC chief S.I Jamir from Dimapur II constituency where he drubbed his nearest independent rival Savi Liegise by 1615 votes.

JD(U), which contested in three seats, won one seat and independents in 3. Independents were leading in three other seats.

BJP, which entered the fray in 11 seats, got its maiden win in Tizit.

Of the two women candidates, Rakhila who was fielded from Tuensang Sadar II seat by BJP was defeated by NPF. The result of the other woman candidate Yangeria, who contested as an independent from Mokokchong town, is yet to be announced.

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