After scripting history by enacting a law with provision for 33 per cent quota for women in urban local bodies, following years of resistance from various organisations, Nagaland is all set to implement it on Wednesday as it goes to polls to elect 214 counsellors for 24 municipal and town councils. With all nine seats for Chiephobozou Town Council being declared elected-unopposed and no candidates contesting for 14 town councils of six districts in the eastern region, over the call made by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) to abstain from all state and central elections, including the ULBs, the elections to the civic bodies have been reduced to three municipal councils and 20 town councils in 10 districts. The number of seats that are going to the polls has been further reduced from 278 (out of 418) to 214 after 64 candidates were elected uncontested. The decision of the ENPO has, no doubt, marred the much-awaited polls for the ULBs but not affected their essence. Irrespective of these developments, it is a historic moment for the state, as it is conducting the civic polls for the first time with one-third seat reservation for women, that too after nearly two decades of disagreement over reservation and property tax. It is a laudable move towards narrowing the gender gap in representation in major decision-making bodies. It is even more significant as it came a year after two women were elected to the Legislative Assembly for the first time in the history of the state.
Interestingly, this ULB election offers a level playing field for everyone with no pre-poll alliance, unlike in the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. This is evident from as many as 10 dual fights between the NDPP and the BJP, the allies in the incumbent state government. There are 184 independent candidates, including two who have been elected unopposed, in the fray, while many women are taking on their male counterparts in several unreserved seats, adding spice to the contest. Going by this trend, the representation of women in the ULBs could be more than 33 per cent. The outcome of this civic body election can serve as a turning point for women’s leadership and their representation in decision-making bodies, provided they prove their prowess by effectively performing their duties as counsellors. In the same measure, there can be backlash if they fail to carry out their responsibilities efficiently. The same applies to men as well. When the dust settles after the polling, all eyes will be on the performance of the ULBs. Funds are expected to flow in from the Centre for improving public amenities and infrastructure, including roads, parks, playgrounds, street lighting, parking lots, etc. The obligatory functions of the civic bodies include town planning, regulation of land use, sanitation, regulation of building construction, public health and solid waste management, among others. So, the counsellors will play a crucial role in the upkeep of areas falling under their respective jurisdictions. They should begin their public life on a good note by ensuring a peaceful, free and fair election.