ULB elections to be held in Nagaland after 2 decades

KOHIMA, Nagaland: Nagaland State Election Commission announced on Thursday, March 9, to conduct elections for 39 urban local bodies (ULBs) in the state after almost two decades. The election commission has said that ULB elections would take place on May 16, in which 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women candidates.

The Nagaland cabinet headed by Chief Minister Neiphu Rio held its first meeting on Tuesday, where they discussed the possibility of holding ULB elections in May along with providing 33 per cent reservation for women candidates as per the directive of the Supreme Court of India.

In line with the cabinet’s decision, T Mhabemo Yanthan, State Election Commissioner, announced the election to constitute three municipal councils and 36 town councils in Nagaland on May 16, 2023, with 33 per cent reservation for the women candidates. He further informed that nomination filing will begin on April 3, and the last date for filing the nominations would be April 10. April 12 and 13, have been reserved for scrutiny of nomination papers, and candidates could withdraw their candidature for election by April 24. Later the votes will be counted on May 19.

In Nagaland, ULB elections were last held in 2004, after which elections were deferred on account of “unresolved” Naga peace talks and later over the issue of 33 per cent reservation for women candidates, a move which was being opposed by the tribal bodies in Nagaland. Fast forward to 2017, the government has to ditch the plan to conduct the election as clashes ensued on the day of voting, due to which two people lost their lives and several others were injured. The protesting crowd also set Kohima Municipal Council office on fire along with other government offices in the capital city of Kohima.

Clashes ensued over the issue of giving 33 per cent reservation to women candidates, a move which was being opposed by the tribal factions in the state. The tribal communities argued that the women’s reservation was an infringement of rights guaranteed to the people of Nagaland by Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India.

Later on March 9, 2022, representatives from various Naga societies in the state came together and agreed to hold ULB elections along with providing 33 per cent reservation for women. The decision came during a consultative meeting of all stakeholders, including civil society organisations (CSO), tribal bodies, churches, political parties and non-governmental organisations. The stakeholders’ meeting was convened by the Nagaland government in presence of the legislators.

With the announcement of election schedule by the state election commissioner, the model code of conduct has come into force in the municipal and town areas going into elections. He added that this will apply to all candidates, political parties and state government machinery.