10 DISTRICTS REPORT ‘NIL NOMINATIONS’; 6 FILE NOMINATIONS IN PHEK
On the first day of nominations to the wards under various municipal and town councils throughout Nagaland, the boycott call given by apex tribe organisations, village and town councils and civil society groups had resulted in nil nominations across the state, except in Phek district where three filed as NPF candidates and three as independent candidates.
This was also confimred by State Election Commissioner, Sentiyanger Imchen that only three from NPF and another three filed the nominations as Independent candidates.
The process of filing nomination which began on January 3 will end on January 7. It was widely speculated that well ahead of the closure for nominations, certain parties would bypass the boycott call in the same way which the Congress did in 1998 when it was the only political party to file nominations to all 60 assembly seats. In the controversial 1998 election Congress won 53 seats (44 uncontested and nine contested) while independents won seven seats.
Dimapur: In Dimapur, sources informed Nagaland Post that some political parties have decided to file their nominations on January 5 for all the 23 wards.
Even as the apex bodies– Angami, Ao, Lotha and Sumi have asked their respective community members to refrain from filing their nominations, sources said some determined candidates, including those of several political parties, would file their papers with adequate security. Meanwhile, sources also informed that the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation (ENPO) has called for a meeting at Dimapur to discuss on the issue.
Kohima: According to DIPR report, Lithrongla Tongpi informed that till 3 p.m. no papers were received from any of the candidates on the first day of filling of nominations. Tongpi also informed that 26 nomination forms were issued till January 3, 2017.
Angami Public Organization (APO) president Dr. Vilhusa Seleyi also told this correspondent that APO remained firm against holding civic polls. He hoped that intending candidates would respect the voice of the leaders and people. He further informed that APO volunteers consisting of Angami Youth Organization (AYO) and Angami Student’s Union (ASU) were deployed at the main gate of Kohima DC’s office to make the indenting candidate aware of the APO resolution and prevent them for filing nominations.
Mokokchung: In Mokokchung, as per the directives of the Ao Senden, volunteers and representatives from Landowners (Lika board), All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT) and Ao Senden officials gathered near DC office to prevent filling of nomination papers for the civic polls.
DC and RO Mokokchung told this correspondent over phone, that no one turned up so far to file nominations on the first day.
Meanwhile, a joint meeting of Ao Senden, Landowners and All Ward Union Mokokchung Town was held today at Penli Ward Community Hall.
The meeting adopted two resolutions a copy of the resolution, which was made available to the media signed by Angangba, acting president Ao Senden, Imtisungkum Lika president and R. Ayim LKR chairman All Ward Union Mokokchung Town, stated that the three bodies resolved to reaffirm and strengthen the resolution adopted on January 2.
It further warned that any Ao citizen going against the resolution (by filing nominations) would be considered as going against the Ao customary rights and as per the customary law would be excommunicated.
In Tuensang, Longleng, Zunheboto, Kiphire, Mon, Wokha and Peren as well, it was reported that none of the candidates had filed their nominations on the first day. Till Tuesday afternoon, no forms were received from any of the candidates, sources informed.
Apex tribe organisations, civil society organisations, town and village councils have totally opposed holding of civic polls on various issues, besides the 33% women reservation.
Some organisations, contended that ceding reservation in civic bodies would provide grounds for making similar future demand to assembly constituencies. If that happened, they said, it would embolden demand for diluting perceived “gender unequality” in traditional and customary laws practices and which would then infringe upon Article 371A.
There were also misgivings that in order to raise revenues, municipal and town councils will have to impose tax on land and buildings so as to get central funding. It was feared that such imposition of land and property tax would infringe upon the protection guaranteed under Article 371A.
According to an apex tribal hoho, such issues could have been deliberated by postponing civic polls postpone for a month or two, till a common ground was found with all apex tribal and civic society organisations.
More oppose polls
CPO: Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO) at its emergency general meeting at Pfutsero town hall held on January 3, 2017 has resolved to boycott the ongoing municipal council/town council election process within its jurisdiction.
In a press note, CPO president Kekhwengulo Lea and general secretary Mutsivoyi Kotso stated that the resolutions were unanimously adopted during the meeting attended by all frontal organisations, former CPO officials, executive council members, VCCs, GBs and invitees. CPO has also directed respective village council chairmen to refrain its members to participate in the civic body polls. The organisation cautioned that any Chakhesang violating its decision would be excommunicated from the community and further actions would be taken as deem fit. Meanwhile, CPO has empowered Chakhesang youth front to enforce the resolution.
LH: Lotha Hoho, Wokha has affirmed to stand steadfast in support of CNTC’s decision against ULB elections with women reservation, and enforcement of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2012 and ULB Election.
In a press release, LH chairman, Mhao Humtsoe, and general secretary Mhondamo Ovung, said the Hoho would not allow the ULB elections till the “seemingly imported” Nagaland Municipal Act was amended section by section by removing all provisions that infringed on the customs and traditions of the Nagas, in accordance with the provisions of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution. The signatories also reminded all ULB intending candidates for Wokha and Bhandari town councils that any intending candidate who filed nomination would violate the decision of the Lotha Hoho and would be doing so at one’s own personal risk. LH also appealed to them to understand the sentiments of the Nagas and to cooperate with the hoho and not to file nomination for the ULB elections.
CVC: Chumoukedima village council and all tribal units under its jurisdiction at an emergency meeting on January 2, 2017 at Chumoukedima village council hall resolved to strongly adhere to the call of Naga Hoho, ENPO, APO, Ao Senden, Sumi Hoho respectively to boycott the ensuing Chumoukedima town council election.
In a press release, CVC chairman Razouvotuo Chatsu stated that the meeting further resolved to not allow individual or party to file nomination. The meeting also directed all leaders/intending candidates, tribal units in Chumoukedima town to implement the decisions.
It has been cautioned that wilful violation to the call of the village council and the Nagas by filing nomination, the individual or party would be held entirely responsible for any actions or consequences taken against the defaulters.
SAPO: Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) has extended its full support and solidarity to the Angami Public Organization (APO)’s decision to the boycott call against the conduct of municipal polls till amicable solution and proper understanding were made between the state government and the concerned NGOs.
In a press release, SAPO president Dr. Neiketou Kiso and vice president Khriesavilie Khamo said SAPO being the constituent units of APO has decided to support APO’s decision and requested all the intending candidates to cooperate and refrain from filing the nominations.
KVYO: Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) has supported and reiterated the stand taken by the Kohima Village Council (KVC) and the Angami Public Organization (APO) to “boycott” the upcoming Municipal/ Urban local bodies elections with 33% reservation of seats for women.
In a press release, KVYO president Medozhatuo Rutsa and general secretary Kezhalelie Keretsii cautioned all political parties and intending candidates to refrain from filing nomination till an amicable understanding was reached between the state government and the APO, various tribal hohos and other Naga civil societies.
KVYO further cautioned that any candidate filing nomination papers without honouring the KVC and APO resolution would be doing so at their own risk and he or she would be responsible entirely.
TVCU: Tuensang Village Citizens’ Union (TVCU) said that it has at an emergency meeting on December 30, 2016 resolved to reaffirm its previous stand to oppose 33% women reservation in the forthcoming town council election.
In a memorandum addressed to the state chief minister, the TVCU president, H Wongto, said “Article 371(A) should be brought back to its place for proper governance of the Naga society” and appealed to the state government to hear the voice of the Naga people.
The union stated that it has also resolved not to allow conduct of town council election in Tuensang territories. TVCU said it further resolved that all political parties, intending candidates refrain from nominating any candidates in the town council elections.
It cautioned that any organisation, group or individual violating the resolution would be viewed as a direct challenge to the TVCU and would be held responsible if any issue arose.