DIMAPUR, JANUARY 13 (MExN): The number of candidates withdrawing their nomination for the upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) elections increased to 53 today, with 16 more candidates withdrawing their nominations on January 13.
On Friday, the number of candidates who withdrew their nominations included 2 from Phek, 4 from Chumukedima, 1 from Kiphire and 9 from Chozuba.
The total district wise number of candidates who have now withdrawn from the polls is: Phek (6), Chumukedima (4), Kiphire (2), Chozuba (10), Meluri (2), Tobu (1), Pfutsero (27), and Dimapur (1).
Only 482 candidates now remain as being validly nominated for the polls. Meanwhile, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has informed that “some non- Nagaland Nagas from neighboring states have filed nominations,” which it stated is “very disturbing.”
Expressing “dismay about some non-indigenous Naga inhabitants from other states taking undue advantage in the name of the women reservation,” the CNTC informed public leaders like GBs/ Chairmen of various colonies and localities to be “vigilant of such practices which are detrimental to the Nagas of Nagaland.”
Irked that the 33 percent women reservation is being “imposed against the wishes of the people,” the CNTC has demanded immediate postponement of the ULB elections.
The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) meanwhile informed that February 15 is the deadline for withdrawal of nominations in Dimapur.
In this connection, a press note form the NCD informed the tribe union presidents of the Kuki, Kachari, Rongmei, Phom and Sangtam communities to contact the Vice President (Adm) Naga Council Dimapur “for urgent assignment” on or before 12:00 noon January 14.
‘Ao Senden action contravenes Ao customary laws and practices’
A joint meeting of the Tuli area Land Owners (Kangtsung, Wameken, Merangkong), intending candidates for forthcoming ULB election and public leaders on January 13 raised strong objection to the Ao Senden diktat of ex-communicating intending Ao candidates for 30 years if they do not withdraw their nominations on or before January 17.
A joint statement from the Kangtsung Village Council, Wameken Village Council, Merangkong Village Council and the Tuli Town Ward Union said that this action is in “total contravention of Ao customary laws and practices and is tantamount to infringement upon the jurisdiction and powers of the Ao Putu Menden.”
“We reiterate the earlier resolution adopted at the joint meeting of the Land Owners of Tuli area and Tuli Town Ward Union to participate in the forthcoming ULB election if the Government conducts the said election in even a remote corner of Nagaland,” it said. The statement further urged the State Government to conduct the election as per the original schedule.
Minister did not force us to file nomination: candidates
Seven intending candidates for the upcoming ULB polls, who had attempted to file nominations at the Tuli ADC headquarters, issued a joint declaration today stating that the decision to file nomination was taken “on our own self.” The declaration, appended by the candidates Imlitemjen, Tiatemjen, Supongmenla, Marula, Narola, Mayangnenla and Tinukumia alleged that due to constant pressure from village councils of Changtongya and Akhoya “we decided not to file our nomination papers.” It further claimed that while returning to their respective homes, their vehicles were “intervened by the volunteers of the aforesaid village councils.” The intending candidates further declared that “we never forced by the Minister Nuklutoshi neither to file nor withdraw our nomination papers.”
