Voting for Urban Local Bodies begins in Nagaland; 33 per cent reservations made for women

The Urban Local Bodies(ULB) elections have started in Nagaland. The elections are being held in three Municipal Councils and 36 Town Councils. This is also the first time the state is witnessing a 33 per cent women reservation.

Elections to the Urban Local Bodies(ULB) in Nagaland began on Wednesday morning. The elections are being held in three Municipal Councils Dimapur, Kohima, and Mokokchung and 36 town councils. This is also the first time the state is witnessing a 33 per cent women reservation.

The last ULB elections were held in the state in 2004 without reservations for women. 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.

The Kohima Municipal Ward 16 comprises Lerie, Lerie Chazou, New Reserve and New Minister's Hill which are reserved for women candidates. Two women Helena Yepthomi representing the National Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) and Ane-u Khaming from the National People's Party (NPP) are in the fray. The NDPP candidate Helena said that she represents women of all ages and stages. She also said that she is not standing just for the ULB elections but also for the women and the children, appealing the voters to vote for her for a change.

Additionally, Ane-u Khaming, Helena's competitor and the intending candidate from NPP said that this is the first time in history that the women's reservation has come, adding on how this is the first time there are two competitors for ward 16. She further added how she aimed to promote women and sanitation, bringing a positive change in society. "As a woman, we should have an equal voice in the decision-making body and that is my aim for a women candidate," she said.

Nagaland state cabinet on April 26 gave its administrative approval for conduct of ULB elections in the state and put out an election schedule, and specifying the number of wards reserved for women on rotation as mandated by the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2023. As many as 523 candidates are in the fray for the Urban Local Bodies Election, the State Election Commissioner said in a press conference last week.

During the press conference held at the Commissioner's Conference Hall, Nagaland, SEC T John Longkumer said that a total of 670 nominations were filed, out of which four were rejected, 79 were withdrawn, 64 were declared uncontested and issued certificates, leaving 523 in the fray for the ULB elections. The 60-member State Assembly passed the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2023 on November 9 last year, following which the Supreme Court directed the State government to complete the electoral process for the ULBs by this April.

The Commissioner of Police, Dimapur has imposed Section 144 in the areas of Dimapur, Chumokedima Niuland and Peren district to maintain peace and order. The polling is said to conclude by 4 p.m. today. The time however would be extended if the voters will be within the premises of the polling station. (ANI)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)