With the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench recent order to the Nagaland government to conduct the civic polls on or before January 20 next, uncertainty continues to loom large as to whether the election would be held on time.
The main reason for the same being delayed was the limited time and also the much contemplated move by some tribal Hohos to appeal the Supreme Court against the HC order.
It was also alleged that the DAN government roped in the tribal Hohos opposed to the 33% reservation for women in the civic bodies to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The state election commission had earlier indicated that a minimum of 72 working days excluding holidays would be required for revision of electoral rolls, preparatory arrangement to hold elections and 30 days for conducting election to the municipal councils and town councils.
The commission in its affidavit had stated that electoral rolls of all the municipal councils and town councils except for Mokokchung had not been revised or updated since 2004 and it would be necessary to for revision. However, counting from November 1, there was hardly 55 working days or 65 working days from the day the court judgment was made.
On the other hand, the commission is yet to start the process of the electoral revision till date, even after more than twenty days of the passing of the HC judgment.
Minister for urban development Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu when contacted revealed that the state government or the urban development department was yet to discuss the matter after the HC passed its order.
Meanwhile, another senior cabinet minister revealed that there was some reported move by some tribal Hohos to appeal to the Supreme Court on the recent HC judgment on the 33% women reservation and the directive to conduct civic polls with reservation for women within January 20 next.
Another cabinet minister, however, expressed ignorance on the development but denied that the DAN government was trying to use tribal Hohos.
It may be mentioned that Justice A.K Goswami of the Gauhati High Court in a judgment order pronounced on October 21, after hearing the writ petition filed by the Joint Action Committee on Women Reservation– NMA, Watsu Mundang, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur and Eastern Naga Women Organization, had directed the state government to hold the election to the municipal/town councils and to complete the entire process on or before January 20, 2012.
It also directed the state government to render full assistance and cooperation to the state election commission and respect the latter’s assessment of the needs and requirements in order to ensure that free and fair elections were conducted.
The state election commission which is supposed to be an independent and autonomous institution with separate fund provisions is presently functioning under the urban development department.
Also the commission which is supposed to be headed by the additional chief secretary and commissioner is presently being looked after by a junior secretary of the urban development department.