Supreme Court Puts On Hold Order Cancelling Nagaland Local Body Polls
NDTV
The Election Commission had earlier issued notification for elections to three municipal councils and 36 town councils on May 16 with 33 per cent reservation for women.
The Nagaland government's decision to indefinitely cancel the election to 36 town councils and three municipal councils, due on May 16, was put on hold by the Supreme Court on Wednesday. The court strongly criticised the state government and the state Election Commission for violating its previous order and issued notices to both.
On March 14, the court had directed that the election process be completed according to the schedule and 33 per cent reservation for women be implemented.
But the election was cancelled after the state assembly - following pressure from tribal groups and civil society -- passed a resolution on March 28 to repeal the Municipal Act, 2001. The Act had made 33 per cent reservation of seats for women mandatory in Urban Local Bodies, as directed by the Supreme Court.
On March 30, the State Election Commission issued a notification cancelling the election programme "till further orders".
