Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) welcomes govt decision to hold ULB polls

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, NSF vice-president Mteisuiding Heraang sharing his thoughts said that the civic polls will go a long way in making sure that development takes place right

Apex students orgainsation of Nagaland- Naga Students Federation (NSF) has welcomed the government’s decision to conduct the Urban Local Body (ULB) elections in the state after a gap of 2 decades.

Speaking exclusively to Northeast Live, NSF vice-president Mteisuiding Heraang sharing his thoughts said that the civic polls will go a long way in making sure that development takes place right from the grassroot level.

Heraang appreciating the government for playing a proactive role in holding the ULB after a long gap said, “The Naga Students Federation welcomes the process of the ULB election to be conducted after 2 decades as we have so much undeveloped (municipal areas). Through municipal and town council elections development can be properly implemented. That is what the federation feels and welcomes the step of the state government.”

Regarding the participation of women candidates in the elections, the NSF leader said, “Regarding the women candidates, the federation have not much to say. But we have already seen in our last Nagaland Legislative Assembly election, we have witnessed that two MLAs are already in the NLA, so the federation also wants to witness more women candidate in the ULB election. We also hope that more candidate from the women also comeup even in the days to come.”

Asked as to what the NSF is most concerned about since elections are round the corner, NSF vice-president Mteisuiding Heraang said, “The concern of the federation is to protect the rights of the Naga people and also to safeguard the interest and aspiration of the indigenous Naga population. That is the concern of the Naga Students Federation today.”

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 on June 26.

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.

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