Elections for twelve ULBs today
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 31 (MExN): The Nagaland State Government today informed that elections to twelve town councils in the state will take place as scheduled, that is, on February 1.
A press note from the Nagaland State Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) informed that the twelve town/municipal councils where elections are scheduled to be held on February 1 include Peren, Jalukie, Tening, Aboi, Tobu, Tizit, Naginimora, Shamator, Noklak, Pungro, Longkhim and Longleng.
The Nagaland State Election Commission (SEC) has meanwhile postponed the ULB polls to Dimapur Municipal Council, East Dimapur Town Council, Kiphire Town Council, Tseminyu Town Council, Bhandari Town Council, Wokha Town Council and Zunheboto Town Council for a period of 2 months.
A notification from the SEC informed that the commission has taken this decision after receiving a letter from the Home Department conveying reports from the concerned district administration and IGP (Intelligence) that it is not conducive to conduct free and fair polls in view of the serious apprehension of law & order situation for holding peaceful elections. The SEC also received the State Cabinet decision dated 31/01/2017, impressing upon the commission to postpone the election process in 7 municipal and town councils.
Meanwhile, it was informed that candidates for Meluri, Phek and Longleng have been declared elected, and hence no polling is necessary.
The CMO release further stated that nominations to ten municipalities and town councils, including Kohima, Mokokchung, Pfutsero, Chozuba, Mangkolemba, Changtongya, Tuensang, Mon, Medziphema and Chumukedima could not take place, and hence no election will be held.
The CMO also informed that the Guwahati High Court today ruled that the State Government should constitute the Municipalities and Town Councils in the State with 33% reservation of seats for women.
The judgment, it informed, came in the wake of a petition which had informed that “some extra constitutional bodies, who are opposed to election, are creating hurdles in holding the election freely and fairly and that the State Government be directed to ensure holding of free and fair elections to the ULBs with 33% reservation of seats for women.”
The judgment which was passed this morning by Chief Justice Ajit Singh and Justice Achintya Malla Bujor Barua stated: “Having regard to the fact situation of the case, we are prima facie convinced that as per Notification dated 21.12.2016 of the State Election Commission, the election to constitute the Municipal Councils and Town Councils in the State of Nagaland with 33% reservation of seats for women should be held freely and fairly.”
The Court went on to direct the State “to ensure that the election, in question, is held freely and fairly and if necessary, adequate security provided to the candidates and voters.”
However, the CMO stated that “considering the fluid situation prevailing in several towns and Municipal areas,” the State Cabinet as mentioned wrote to the SEC for postponement of polls to the above listed seven municipality and town councils.
