After Zeliang government, Nagaland governor declares civic polls null and void

Last week, TR Zeliang’s coalition government had annulled the polls in the face of the violent protests unleashed by tribal organisations.

Nagaland came to a standstill on Saturday as activists protested 33% reservation for women, asking for polls to be stalled | Express Photo Service

GUWAHATI: After the Nagaland government, the state’s governor PB Acharya on Thursday declared the urban local bodies’ (ULBs) elections, which triggered widespread violence, as “null and void”.

“…The governor of Nagaland has declared the ongoing process of elections to urban local bodies in Nagaland as null and void. Therefore, the state election commission hereby declares the election programme for the ULBs announced on December 21 and which had been further postponed, as null and void,” a notification issued by state election commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen said.

Last week, TR Zeliang’s coalition government had annulled the polls in the face of the violent protests unleashed by tribal organisations opposed to the holding of polls with 33 per cent reservation for women. The organisations argued that the quota will infringe upon Article 371 (A) which commits to protect Naga customary laws and rights.

On February 1, a few of the 32 ULBs had gone to polls as per schedule. With protests being triggered, the government was quick to “withhold” the elections and later, declared them as “null and void”.

On Tuesday, the Nagaland Tribes’ Action Committee and the Joint Coordination Committee, which are conglomerates of the protesting organisations, demanded Zeliang’s resignation within three days with effect from Wednesday.

They alleged the chief minister “sufficiently exhibited unconcern to the sufferings faced by the people” and turned a blind eye to their plight “to achieve his wishes.”

Meanwhile, home minister Y Patton has appealed to the protesting organisations to settle issues through talks.

“I appeal to all organisations to come forward for a dialogue so that opinions and views can be shared and (all can) come to an understanding whereby the present face-off can be resolved at the earliest. At the same time, I also urge non-stakeholders not to mislead or misinform, foment and worsen the misunderstanding or threaten anyone from coming forward for positive dialogue,” the minister said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Zeliang on Thursday met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to brief him of the ongoing standoff between the Nagaland Tribes’ Action Committee and the state government, as well as the resultant bandh that affected the functioning of government offices.

“The chief minister explained to the Union Home Minister in detail about how the government, determined to fulfill the Constitutional obligation of holding polls to the urban local bodies, had initiated the process after several tribal organisations expressed their support to the holding of polls with 33 per cent reservation of seats for women, and how these organisations took a U-Turn after the polls were announced,” a statement issued by the chief minister’s office said.