Election Commission Postpones Polls In 7 Nagaland Urban Local Bodies

Nagaland State Election Commission today postponed for two months elections in seven urban local bodies (ULBs) which were scheduled to be held tomorrow, after authorities raised apprehensions over law and order situation.

The deferment was made after due consideration of state cabinet decision and in exercise of the powers conferred under the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, according to a notification issued by the State Election Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen.

Top tribal bodies were opposing the government's decision of giving 33 per cent reservation to women.

The cabinet decided to postpone polls after an agreement reached between the government and Joint Coordination Committee in presence of Nagaland Baptist Church Council in Dimapur yesterday.

The decision followed reports of district administrations and IGP (Intelligence) that the situation was not conducive to conduct free and fair polls in view of the serious apprehensions of law and order situation, officials said.

The cabinet impressed upon the Commission to postpone the election in the seven municipal and town councils - Dimapur municipal, East Dimapur, Kiphire, Tseminyu, Bhandari, Wokha and Zunheboto town councils. No new date was announced.

However, elections in other 12 town councils will take place tomorrow as per the schedule from 7 AM to 3.30 PM, the cabinet said.

These town councils are Peren, Jalukie, Tening, Aboi, Tobu, Tizit, Naginimora, Shamator, Noklak, Pungro, Longkhim and Longleng.

No polling will take place in Meluri, Phek and Tuli town councils as the candidates have been declared elected.

The Cabinet also resolved that since nominations to the 10 Municipalities and Kohima, Mokokchung, Pfutsero, Chozouba, Changtongnya, Mangkolemba, Tuensang, Mon, Medziphema and Chumukedima town councils could not take place, no polling will be held there, the officials added.