Historic ULB Elections in Nagaland: 669 Candidates File Nominations

A total of 669 candidates have filed their nominations for the upcoming Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections in Nagaland, scheduled for June 26.

According to the State Election Commission, 669 candidates, including 238 women, have submitted their nomination papers for elections to three municipal councils and 36 town councils. The deadline for filing nominations was Tuesday, with scrutiny of documents set for Thursday. The final date for withdrawal of candidature is June 18.

These elections are significant as they are the first ULB elections in Nagaland in 20 years and will feature 33 percent reservation for women. Previous attempts to conduct these elections were hindered by objections from tribal bodies and civil society organizations concerning reservations for women and taxes on land and properties. Tribal groups argued that these provisions infringed on the special rights guaranteed to Nagaland under Article 371(A) of the Constitution. In 2017, the government postponed the elections following violent clashes that resulted in two deaths and the destruction of the Kohima Municipal Council office and other government properties.

Despite calls from the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organization (ENPO) to abstain from the elections, several candidates from the ruling NDPP and BJP have filed nominations. The ENPO, representing seven Naga tribes from six eastern districts, has been advocating for a 'Frontier Nagaland Territory' due to perceived neglect of the region. The organization had also urged people to boycott the Lok Sabha elections for Nagaland’s lone seat.

The votes for the ULB elections will be counted on June 29.