Nagaland Governor declares ULB polls null and void

Nagaland Governor P B Acharya today declared the entire process of elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in the state, which was bitterly opposed by Naga tribal groups, as null and void.

State Election Commissioner Sentiyanger Imchen in a notification said following the Governor's decision the election programme for the ULBs, notified on December 21 last year, is now null and void.

On February 2, the state Cabinet had decided to declare the election process null and void, also a demand of the Naga tribal groups.

The official declaration was made today by the State Election Comminssion (SEC) after the assent of the Governor.

The ULB election, which provided for 33 per cent reservation for women, was opposed tooth and nail by Naga tribal groups. It led to violence in which two persons were allegedly killed in police firing outside the private residence of Chief Minister T R Zeliang in Dimapur on January 31, on the eve of polling day.

The election to the 32 municipal and town councils in the northeastern state had been announced by the SEC on December 21 last year, as per the directive of the state government dated October 4 and November 18, 2016.