• Nagaland Govt ‘agrees in principle’ to postpone polls for two months
• Nagaland State cabinet to meet on Jan 31 at 11:00 am
• JCC calls off bandh, but says it is ‘subject to decision of State Cabinet & SEC’
• JCC seeks two months to educate and dialogue with different tribal bodies
DIMAPUR, JANUARY 30 (MExN): The Nagaland State Government today decided to postpone the ULB polls for a period of two months; and in turn the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) has agreed to call off its bandh.
This was agreed upon during a meeting between the state government, led by Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang and the JCC, led by its convener Supu Jamir. The meeting was facilitated by the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). The NBCC, in a press note from its General Secretary, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho thanked “all believers who have prayed for God’s peace and wisdom.”
Meanwhile, a joint statement signed by JCC Convener, Supu Jamir; NBCC General Secretary, Rev Dr Zelhou Keyho and Nagaland Home Minister, Y Patton, informed that the JCC needs two months with effect from February 1 to “educate and dialogue with different tribal bodies.”
“At the consummation of the two month public process, JCC will ensure people’s participation in the conduct of a peaceful ULB election in the state as stated above (with 33% women reservation),” it stated. It added that the JCC meanwhile understands and appreciates the fundamental right of every voter in Nagaland to participate in the ULB election (subject to Cabinet and State Election Commission decision).
The JCC had asked the state government to postpone the ULB election in order to help the JCC to educate the public toward conducting a well informed election which will promote development and common good of all the Nagas.
The JCC, it stated, will call off the bandh “subject to the outcome of the final decision of the Nagaland State Election Commission.” This was signed in the presence of the NBCC as a third party.
The Nagaland State Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) meanwhile issued a statement informing that the Nagaland Government “agrees in principle to defer ULB elections; Joint Coordination Committee decides to call off bandh from tomorrow (subject to the decision of the State Cabinet and State Election Commission), asks for two months’ time to have dialogue with stakeholders; after expiry of deferment time, JCC to ensure people’s participation in the conduct of a peaceful ULB election in the State with 33% reservation for women.”
It informed that the JCC had asked for two months’ time deferment, to which it “was agreed trilaterally that the time duration would depend on the approval of the State Cabinet as well as the Election Commission.” The State Cabinet is scheduled to meet tomorrow (Jan 31) at 11:00am.
