The date polling will be held on June 26, 2024 between 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and counting and declaration of results on June 29. The last ULB polls were held in 2004.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland State Election Commission is all set for the smooth conduct of the Local Urban Bodies (ULB) elections. This was informed by T John Longkumer, the State Election Commissioner in a press statement. Various preparatory steps are being undertaken by the commission so as to ensure a free, fair, and smooth conduct of the Municipals and Town Councils elections after 20 years.
T John Longkumer, said that on the ongoing preparation for the upcoming elections, a review and coordination meet was held on May 29 this very year in presence of the state’s chief secretary, at his official conference hall. The meeting was attended by state home commissioner, commissioner and secretary, Municipal Affairs, state nodal officials for the state election commission, and police nodal officers.
In the meeting, the Nagaland chief secretary stressed on having a “close coordination” between the Commission and the Nagaland state government deputed officers for the ensuing ULB elections in the state. T John Longkumer, who also served as the DGP, Nagaland, also informed that all necessary arrangements are on “track”. Police nodal officers are ensuring security arrangements for the a peaceful conduct of the polls.
Nagaland State Election commissioner also informed that all electoral processes are in proceed as per the election schedule. The commission has requested all concerned to continue working with the same commitment ensuring that the “election schedule” could be successfully completed keeping in mind the submission to that effect made before the Supreme Court of India.
On April 27, Nagaland’s Municipal Affairs Department said that the State Election Commission approved the election schedule, which specified the number of wards reserved (33%) for women on rotation as mandated by the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2023. The date polling will be held on June 26, 2024 between 7.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and counting and declaration of results on June 29. The last ULB polls were held in 2004.
According to the ULB poll schedule, nominations can be filed from June 7-11 and the last date of withdrawal of candidature will be June 20. After the polls on June 26 and re-polls, if needed, on June 28, the votes will be counted and declared on June 29.
Nagaland has three municipal councils – Dimapur, Kohima, and Mokokchung – and 36 town councils. Six of the 19 wards in Kohima, eight out of 23 wards in Dimapur, and six out of 18 wards in Mokokchung have been reserved for women.
It may be mentioned that the Nagaland Municipal and Town Council Act was passed in 2001 without the provision of reserving 33% of the seats for women, as required under Article 243T of the Constitution. This was amended in 2006.
The first election under the Act was conducted in 2004 without the reservation of seats for women, except in Mokokchung, as it was deemed to infringe upon the special provisions granted to Nagaland under Article 371A of the Constitution.
Efforts to hold the ULB polls with a 33% quota for women after 2004 was opposed by many organisations representing different tribal groups. The decision to hold the elections in 2017 triggered violent protests, claiming two lives while government properties were damaged across the State. The 60-member State Assembly passed the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2023 on November 9, 2023, following which the Supreme Court directed the State government to complete the electoral process for the ULBs.