Nagaland civic polls with 33% women quota opposed
The HinduOrganisations in three major urban areas of Nagaland have opposed the State government’s decision to hold the civic polls on May 16 with 33% of the seats reserved for women. In a letter on March 10, these organisations reminded Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio of Article 371A of the Constitution of India that says “no Act of Parliament would apply under the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution decides in respect of Naga customary laws and procedures, administration of civil and criminal justice, ownership and transfer of land, land and social practices”. Rule 23A was inserted in the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2001 for the reservation of one-third of the seats for women as mandated by Article 243T of the Constitution of India but this led to violent protests and the death of two people in 2017, forcing the State government to withhold the civic polls through a Cabinet notification, the organisations said. On March 8, the State Election Commission issued a notification announcing May 16 as the date for holding the elections to 39 ULBs across Nagaland with 33% reservation of seats for women.