Inclusion of Women’s Quota in Nagaland’s Civic Poll

Context

Recently, after 20 years, Nagaland considers inclusion of Women’s Quota in its Civic Poll as a historic step by the government of Nagaland.

Key Highlights

• The Naga Cabinet recently approved the urban local bodies (ULBs) elections with one third seats reserved for ladies.
• On June 26 this year, it will be held for the very first time that women in Nagaland will be contesting elections for the first time under a women’s quota system, after the last polls took place in 2004.
• Nagaland Municipal Affairs Department on notification of elections schedule stating wards rotation-based reservation for women, as per the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2023.
• Opening our nomination process from June 7-11, and having withdrawal before June 20; polling on June 26, and probable re-polling on June 28; final results will be declared on June 29th.
• Nagaland Municipality has three municipal ward reserved seats for women in Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung where in total 38 town councils reserve seats for women.
• Nagaland Municipal and Town Council Act, amended in 2006 to comply with article 243T, assured 33% women’s seats; previous elections faced resistance which brought in violence.
• The Upper House Court orders that the Local Government Election Committee’s work ends in April, after following the electoral law passed in November.

About Nagaland’s Civic Poll

• The local government institutions run from the root and these elections at the municipal level are an epitome of how the government system works at a small place level.
• Residents elect representatives to municipal councils and town committees
• They take care of issues ranging from sanitation to fixing roads and other structures in a community.
• Citizens elect representatives and voice their political concerns by exercising their voting rights.
• Civic polls give opportunity for latter-day leaders to emerge much more than was the case before.
• It comprises both campaigning, voting, and formulating local governmental authorities. Create an automated resume generator tailored for individuals seeking employment in the healthcare, information technology, customer service, or retail sectors.
• They stand as a symbol and they give room to all the democratic values including good governance, transparency and accountability.

About Women’s Quota in Nagaland

• Nagaland, as well as the other parts of India have implemented women’s quota for women in local government bodies.
• In Nagaland under this policy one-thirds of the seats in local government are held as percentage for the women. Under the Nagaland Municipal (First Amendment) Act, 2006, the process is being set off.
• Initially, women’s quota will be introduced, resulting in a massive proportion of vacancies in the city council being reserved for women. The target to put on is to maximise the level of women participating in decision-making at the local level.
• The quota for women in Nagaland in governance, specifically local politics has increased sharply the number of women who are involved in governance. It brings women into governance and insists on an unprecedented level of engagement in business that concern the needs of the community and promote the prosperity of their districts.
• The quota system is a positive case for inclusion of women in governance, but cultural issues, societal beliefs and political factors still at large are potential hurdles that may bar women’s successful involvement in leadership positions.
• The objective of women quota in Nagaland is to lessen women underrepresentation in political office, and women participation in grass root government.

Impact

• Approval for the one-third female quota in Nagaland’s urban municipal elections is an epochal chance for women participation and representation. 
• The first elections with this quota are scheduled for June 26th, following the Nagaland Municipal Act of 2023. 
• The transparency is gotten through clear timelines for the nomination, the polling and declaration of the result. Reserved seats in main administrative departments make this a place of attaining equal representation. 
• Amendments to the Nagaland Municipal and Town Council Act have been made and are monitored by judicial orders that promote gender equality.

Conclusion

• The women quota is a one-third feature that has a nerve of gender parity in governance in the state of Nagaland for the first time. 
• The election date has been set for 26th June and the elections will be conducted under the Nagaland General Municipal Act, 2023. 
• This Act aims at imparting the transparent and time bound electoral process. A court of residence in critical functional zones is meant for equivalent presence of different sections. Modifications of the municipal laws in the appropriate mould of gender equality enforcements, upon the judicial orders. 
• This implies the giant step for women taking part in and representation of local politics. This in turn improves inclusiveness and or the democratic values.

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q. Critically evaluate the implementation of the women’s quota in Nagaland’s civic polls. Discuss its significance in addressing gender disparities in local governance and its implications for political empowerment.

Download as PDF