188 women candidates with valid nominations as calls from tribe orgs to stop polls continue
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 11 (MExN): All nominations filed across 26 municipal and town councils in the state of Nagaland for the upcoming Urban Local Body (ULB) polls have been scrutinised by the State Election Commission. The nominations of 535 candidates have been declared as validly nominated.
Of the 32 town/municipal councils in the state, Kohima, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Mon, Medziphema and Changtongya have registered nil nominations, as apex tribe bodies had prevented intending candidates from doing so. In the remaining 26 town/municipal councils, a total of 549 nominations were filed, of which 535 were declared as validly nominated. According to the Directorate of Information and Public Relations, in Dimapur one nomination was ejected and one double NPF candidate withdrew. In Zunheboto one nomination was rejected. The difference in figures, it meanwhile informed is due to the “standby candidates.”
The number of women candidates from across the 26 town/municipal councils is 188. The polls are scheduled to be held on February 1.
Meanwhile, opposition to the polls and the fallout of several townships and municipalities opting to file candidates continues. The Sumi Hoho, Ao Senden, Zeliang People’s Organisation, Meluri Area Public Organisation and the Central Nagaland Tribes Council issued statements today reiterating their opposition to the ULB elections with 33 percent reservation.
Postpone polls: CNTC
The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has demanded immediate postponement of the ULB elections, warning that conducting the polls despite widespread objections of tribal bodies, will invite unprecedented ramifications.
Asking all candidates to withdraw their nominations, the CNTC said that the “hard earned rights and provisions of Article 371A for the state of Nagaland cannot be compromised under any circumstances.” It said that the Municipal Act though enacted for developmental purposes, is “detrimental to our rich traditional values and customary rights bestowed by the Almighty on our forefathers since time immemorial.”
There is a clear demarcation between the Indian laws and our Naga customary laws indicated by Article 371A, it stated, and urged people not to be misled by “vested individuals twisting, distorting and manipulating to suit their interests.” “Those in power today must keep in mind that they are not going to be in their chairs forever and one day they too will become public,” it meanwhile reminded.
Candidates told to withdraw or face excommunication
The Sumi Hoho held an executive meeting today and resolved that all the candidates of Zunheboto Town Council who have filed nominations must withdraw nomination immediately.
It cautioned that any candidate failing to withdraw their nomination paper shall be ‘excommunicated’ from the Sumi society for a period of 10 years. It further stated that unless the Government of Nagaland reviews the existing Municipal Act, the Sumi Hoho would continue to oppose the Urban Local Body Election.
In the Sumi jurisdiction of Dimapur district, it directed that the Western Sumi Hoho coordinate with the Central Nagaland Tribes Council and Naga Council Dimapur to ensure the withdrawal of nominations by all the candidates. The Ao Senden held a Federal Assemble today reiterating its earlier directive that any Ao bonafide member who has already filed nomination should withdraw their nomination on or before January 17. Failing to do so, the Ao Senden cautioned would invite ex communication from Ao citizenship for a term of 30 years.
Under this, the Ao Senden informed that the person “would not be allowed to participate in any Ao society; debarred from the rights of Aos for holding any position both in government and private; and debarred from the rights of Aos to participate in all Naga civil societies and organizations.”
Minister acting against will of Ao people: Ao Senden
Regarding the quit notice served to the Nagaland Minister for Highways, Nuklutoshi, it claimed that the Minister was “acting against the will of Ao people.”
“He was arranging to gather the candidates to file the nomination of Changtongya town council from Tuli Town; however due to intervention of the people of Tuli Town he could not do so. Applying the same tactics, he tried to pursue to get the nominations done from his home town, Chuchuyimlang town,” it alleged. The Ao Senden further stated that the Minister’s convoy was “caught red handed by the volunteers of the movement.”
“On learning of his activities, the people’s anger was triggered and thereby decided to attack him personally. Thus, the Ao Senden with clear sense decided to move him away for the day taking into account for his own safety as well as to salvage the situations at hand,” it claimed.
MAPO refutes Pochury Hoho’s statement
The Meluri Area Public Organisation (MAPO), in their statement urged all the intending candidates for Meluri Town Council to withdraw their candidature. While stating that it is a part and parcel of Pochury Hoho, the MAPO however said that “the recent imbroglio of the Hoho in supporting 33% women reservation in ULB election has no iota of truth.”
“The fact that, the so called resolution made on 13th July 2016 read as that if any group of people or organization of Pochury is taking an initiative step for social upliftment and community development, the Pochury Hoho shall not stop/sabotage them from doing their job in the interest of the people of Pochury. This resolution is not within the knowledge of the executive council and for that matter, no discussion or deliberation was made. Therefore, the so called 13th July 2016 resolution remains null and void,” the MAPO claimed. This statement, it added “does not reflect the views of the Hoho or the Executive Council.”
ZPO for dialogue
The Zeliang People’s Organisation said that going ahead with the ULB elections with 33% women reservation would “cast the entire system into a lame duck scenario.” “No entity nowhere in a democratic world more so in Nagaland, be it the state government or the tribal organisations can imagine to exist on their own or with severed relationship as is prevalent now. A healing to this condition can only be brought about through consultation and dialogue.” It stated.
The ZPO demanded that the polls be put on hold, and also asked the intending candidates who have already filed nominations in various towns and especially of Peren district to withdraw their nominations “to be able to pave way for drawing an acceptable and conclusive decision.”
