Nagaland ULB Polls on Jun 26: So far 8 women announce candidature

Of the 418 wards in the Municipality and Town Councils, 142 will be reserved for women.

After a gap of 20 years, the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in Nagaland will be held on June 26. This is the first time that the municipal elections will have 33% reservation for women. Of the 418 wards in the Municipality and Town Councils, 142 will be reserved for women.

Polls will be held for three municipal councils and 36 town councils.

So far 8 women candidates from Mokokchung – Maongtula from Alempang, Walunila Jamir, Moasangla Pongen from Penli Ward and Wapangnaro Pongen from Kumlong Ward No. 7, Mokokchung Town declared their candidatures for the upcoming Urban Local bodies elections.

In Alempang ward, Maongtula, is an advocate by profession and the only candidate as of now.

Walunila Jamir, is an active NDPP party worker and prominent youth leader from Penli ward.

Moasangla Pongen, is a retired government servant and an active church member.

Wapangnaro, a resident of Kumlong Ward, has been a teacher for 20 years and is the Vice Principal of Jubilee Memorial School in Mokokchung.

Mokokchung Town comprises of 18 wards, six of which are reserved for women.

The civic body polls, which was conducted last in 2004 without reservations, remained stalled due to opposition by organisations representing Naga tribes against the 33 per cent reservations for women.

Organisations argued that the reservation that was introduced through the 74th Amendment of the Constitution, infringes upon the special provisions granted to Nagaland under Article 371A of the Constitution.

On November 9, 2023 the Nagaland Assembly unanimously passed the bill, reserving 33 per cent of the seats in urban local bodies (ULB) for women. On November 11, the Nagaland government told the Supreme Court that the Bill was passed.

The provision for one-third reservation of seats for women was included in the Bill as directed by the Supreme Court, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had said after it was passed.

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