Kohima, Feb 28: The Nagaland People's Front (NPF) Thursday appeared set to retain power winning 24 of the 60 seats in the Nagaland assembly and leading in 10 more.
The main opposition Congress party had won only four seats and was on the winning track in four more, election officials said.
Fighting as a member of the ruling alliance, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal-United won one seat each, election officials said.
The NCP increased its tally by securing four seats, up from the two it won in 2008.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphu Rio is likely to retain his Northern Angami seat for the fifth time.
Education Minister Nyeiwang Konyak was, however, defeated by Congress candidate Eshak Konyak in Aboi constituency.
NPF's Y. Vikheho Swu defeated outgoing Congress legislator Joshua Sumi in Pughoboto.
A total of 188 candidates were in the fray.
The NPF-led government had hoped to cash in on the government's efforts over the past decade to establish lasting peace in the state.
In its election campaign, the Congress had focussed on corruption.
While the NPF had a pre-poll alliance with the BJP and JD-U, the Congress had hoped to woo like-minded parties and independents to make it to the assembly this time.
In 2008, the NPF secured 26 seats and the Congress 23. The BJP and NCP won two seats each. Seven independents also won in 2008.
