Election 2023: Is Nagaland ready to elect its first woman MLA?

The persistent underrepresentation of women in the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly continued even in the age of Globalisation. Naga women in postcolonial history failed to attend the margin of women’s representation at local, national and global levels. While the state has never had a female member of the Legislative Assembly since its formation in 1963, we could witness history in the upcoming elections.

In 2018, Nagaland saw five female candidates contest elections, the highest ever. But this time, only four women candidates will be vying for seats. As the election inches closer, it is imperative to look at the stance of women’s candidature from different perspectives.

A report presented in We the Nagas pointed out that this is the first time that four women candidates will contest from a major party: two are from the NDPP and one each from the BJP and Congress. NDPP candidate Hekani Jakhalu is a social entrepreneur and the founder of YouthNet. A recipient of the Nari Shakti Puraskar award in 2018, she will be contesting from (3 Dimapur-III Assembly Constituency).