Nagaland Implements 33% Reservation for Women in Urban Local Bodies
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly has unanimously passed the Nagaland Municipal Bill 2023, reserving 33% of seats in urban local bodies (ULBs) exclusively for women.
The new bill, which replaces the Nagaland Municipal Act 2001, differs from its predecessor by excluding provisions related to taxes on lands and buildings. Additionally, it does not include the one-third reservation for women for the position of chairperson in ULBs.
The ULB elections in Nagaland have been considerably delayed, with the previous polls taking place in 2004. The prolonged absence was due to various challenges, including the complexities of the unresolved Naga peace talks and resistance to the mandated 33% reservation for women.
Tribal bodies strongly opposed the latter, arguing it violated the special rights guaranteed to Nagaland by Article 371(A) of the Constitution.
In April, the matter reached a critical point when the Supreme Court intervened, criticising the Nagaland government and the state election commission for not complying with its directives on implementing reservations for women.
As Nagaland gears up for the eagerly anticipated urban local body (ULB) elections, the updated legislation demonstrates a thoughtful equilibrium in tackling gender disparities while upholding the distinctive constitutional framework that protects the state’s special rights.
