ULB poll cancellations not because of 33% women reservation:  Nagaland Minister KG Keyne

Kenye informed that State advocates will be presenting the court on what basis the Act was repealed and the constitutional guarantees made in the article 371 A

Amid the controversy over the 33 % women reservation on the Nagaland Urban Local body Polls (ULB), Nagaland Cabinet Minister KG Kenye said that the cancelling of the Nagaland Municipal 2001 Act has nothing to do with the women reservation.

Kenye further told Northeast Live that the wide consultation with the stakeholders will be held soon before framing the new Act after the hearing on May 1.

Kenye also said that the State advocates will be presenting the court on what basis the Act was repealed and the constitutional guarantees made in the article 371 A.

“The court was more interested to know about the Art 371 A under which provision the Act was repealed,” he added.

“The next hearing on 1st of May where our Advocate General will be presenting the entire matter, customary laws and the religious and social practices of our people and the constitutional guarantees made in the article 371 A. In 2 weeks time our advocates will be preparing what they will present in the SC next” Kenye said.

The Supreme court on Monday asked the centre to clarify whether the constitutional scheme of 1/3rd reservation for women in the election to Municipalities and Town Councils, can be violated by the process adopted by the Nagaland Government.

The Supreme Court observed that women empowerment comes by education and through political participation.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Aravind Kumar during the hearing noted that a period of male domination had existed in the society.

The bench also noted that to evade an undertaking given to it, an ingenious method has been adopted regarding holding of the elections by repealing the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001.

The 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly passed the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001  (Repeal Bill, 2023) on March 28.

The top court on April 5 stayed the state poll panel’s decision to cancel the election program of urban local body polls in Nagaland.

On March 30, the State Election Commission issued a notification whereby it cancelled further orders on the election programme notified earlier in view of the repeal of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001.

Also Read: Particular decision on ULB issue will be taken after meeting stakeholders: Nagaland CM Rio

COMMENTS