Nagaland edges closer to its long-delayed urban local body (ULB) elections with the State Election Commission (SEC) notifying the official schedule on Tuesday. The polls, last held in 2004, have been plagued by controversies and legal challenges surrounding property tax and women's representation.
A new chapter seems to be opening with the polls being conducted under the recently enacted Nagaland Municipal Act 2023, which addresses public concerns, most notably the crucial issue of women's reservation in local bodies.
SEC TJ Longkumer announced June 26th as the polling date for the state's three municipal councils and 36 town councils. A model code of conduct (MCC) has been implemented with immediate effect.
The nomination window opens on June 7th and closes on June 11th, with the last day for withdrawal of candidatures set for June 20th. Results will be declared on June 29th.
However, a shadow of dissent looms over the upcoming elections. Citizens residing in the six eastern districts affiliated with the Eastern Nagaland People's Organization (ENPO) have reiterated their stance of non-participation.
This decision stems from the unfulfilled promise of creating the autonomous Frontier Nagaland Territory (FNT), as proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
In a statement, the ENPO declared, "The citizens of Eastern Nagaland remain steadfast in their commitment to abstaining from the forthcoming urban local bodies election and any central or state celebrations until the vision of the Frontier Nagaland Territory becomes a reality."
This stance echoes their actions during the April 19th Lok Sabha elections when residents of the eastern districts – Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire, Longleng, Noklak, and Shamator – boycotted the polls.
The ENPO, representing a significant voting bloc with over 4,00,632 voters and encompassing 20 assembly seats, speaks for the tribes of Konyak, Chang, Phom, Yimkhiung, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, Tikhir, and eastern Sümi.
Their struggle revolves on a long-standing demand – the creation of a separate Frontier Nagaland carved out of the existing state.
This demand stems from perceived developmental and economic neglect faced by the eastern region.
While the MHA, through its negotiating team led by advisor (northeast) AK Mishra, initially proposed a separate state, a compromise has been reached.
The current proposal focuses on establishing an autonomous FNT, granting the region a significant degree of legislative, executive, administrative, and financial autonomy.
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