Supreme Court pulls up Nagaland Govt over delay in notifying elections in urban local bodies

The apex court said there has been a delay on the part of the State in its endeavour to keep the rights of the women gender at each stage

The Supreme Court on July 14 pulled up the Nagaland Government over the delay in notifying the elections in urban local bodies and directed the State Election Commission to inform it within two weeks about the complete schedule of the polls.

A Bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and M.M. Sundresh said there has been a delay on the part of the State in its endeavour to keep the rights of the women gender at each stage.

“It is only when the matter is listed before the Court and on the anvil of hearing, that something is done. The notification will now be issued by the State Election Commission belatedly on account of the failure of the State,” the Bench said while posting the matter for the next hearing on July 29.

It refused to dispose of the matter and said, “We have no trust in the way the State Government is doing things.” The top court was hearing a plea filed by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and others seeking to hold the elections for all municipalities and town councils in Nagaland forthwith in accordance with Section 23A of the Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Act, 2006 and the notification of the State Government.

At the outset, senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the State Election Commission has not even started the revision of electoral rolls because they requested the State Government to notify elections whether it can be done.

He said the State Government has not taken any action despite the apex court giving them ample time.

Advocate General K.N. Balgopal, appearing for the State, informed the Bench that it was not delaying the issue and the government had given its administrative approval in the matter.