Logjam halts Nagaland civic body polls

A notification issued by the state election commissioner T Mhabemo Yanthan stated that in view of the “repeal in toto” of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 through the Nagaland Municipal Act (Repeal Act 2023) which has reference to the conduct of election to the urban local bodies (ULBs), the March 9 notification stands cancelled till further orders.

Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has opposed the decision to repeal the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 and take exception that this was done without any civil dialogue or consultation with women.

The statement maintained that Naga women supported the Municipal Act 2001 and First Amendment which provides 33% reservation of seats for women in ULBs.

“Naga women take cognizance of the fact that the two women MLAs remained silent during deliberations on this issue in the Assembly session as well as abstaining from objecting or dissenting to the passing of this repeal bill,” the NMA statement added.

The Supreme Court intervened in holding the elections.

In the 2017 election to these bodies with reservation was opposed by several groups. They opposed it on grounds that it infringed the special provisions granted to Nagaland under Article 371(A) of the Constitution.In the violence and series of vandalism and arson two people were killed while large scale damage to government properties took place. Then chief minister T R Zeliang had to resign.