Senden, RH oppose ULB election

The Ao Senden and Rengma Hoho (RH) have also joined other organizations in registering their protest against holding of elections to the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) unless certain sections of the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001 were amended.
Ao Senden: In a statement, Ao Senden president Chubawati Longchar and general secretary Imtipokyim said that the Ao Senden has rejected the State Election Commission’s March 9, 2023 notification for elections to municipal and town councils in Nagaland scheduled to be held on May 16.
The Senden pointed out that this was not only against the wishes of the people but also dictatorial in nature and therefore termed it as “unacceptable”.
They said that the Senden, at its executive council meeting held on March 20, also resolved to stand by its May 30, 2017 memorandum submitted to the State government demanding amendment to the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001.
Further, in order to protect and preserve the constitutional rights of the Naga people as enshrined in the Constitution of India, the meeting further resolved that no election to urban local bodies (ULB) would be allowed in Ao region unless and until the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 was amended as demanded and desired by the people.
It was also firmly resolved that in the event of the Urban Local Bodies election being forced upon the people in its current form, every Ao citizen would be barred from participating in it to safeguard the greater interest and rights of Naga people.
RH: Reiterating its resolution of 2016, Rengma Hoho (RH) has declared that the hoho along with its frontal organisations would restrain its members from participating in the town elections in Tseminyu district till such time the State government amended the Nagaland Municipal Act, 2001 sections 120 and 123 “Tax on Lands and Buildings” by abrogating it from the NMA, 2001.
RH president Pollem Tep general secretary Sinhilo Thongseb said that the hoho reaffirmed its stand at the executive meeting held at Tseminyu on Monday.
The hoho, however, said that it stood by the 74th Amendment Act 1992 (iv) “Reservation of seats”.
RH also said it expected the State government would not discount the special provision, Article 371 (A) of the Constitution of India.