Daochier I Imchen of the Bharatiya Janata Party won the Koridang Assembly by-election in Nagaland on Monday with a margin of 3,123 votes, according to official results released by the Election Commission of India.
Imchen secured a total of 7,317 votes, defeating Independent candidate Toshikaba, who polled 4,194 votes. Another Independent candidate, Imtiwapang, finished third with 3,633 votes, while National People's Party nominee I Abenjang received 3,219 votes. The Indian National Congress candidate T Chalukumba Ao secured just 144 votes, and 48 voters opted for NOTA, reflecting limited support for the party in this contest.
With this victory, Imchen enters the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly as its youngest member at the age of 35, marking a significant personal and political milestone. He maintained a steady and clear lead across multiple polling stations, particularly in key areas such as Mangmetong and Longkhum, which contributed to his overall margin of victory.
The by-election was held following the death of his father, Imkong L Imchen, a senior political figure who had represented the constituency multiple times as a five-term legislator. His passing created a vacancy in the Koridang seat, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral contest.
Imchen’s win is widely viewed as a continuation of his family’s long-standing political influence in the region, with voters once again backing the Imchen legacy. The result also strengthens the BJP’s presence in Nagaland’s political landscape and reinforces its growing footprint in the northeastern states.
Overall, the outcome highlights both the persistence of local political legacies and the role of party backing in shaping electoral success, while bringing a younger representative into the state Assembly at a time when generational shifts in leadership are increasingly visible.
