On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued a notice for contempt plea against the State Government and the Nagaland State Election Commission. This was due to non-compliance with the court's order to conduct local body elections in Nagaland. The court ordered both parties to respond to the notice within a week. The court highlighted that any attempt to interfere with the elections would be a violation of its order, as stated in the order dated 14.03.2023.
On Wednesday, a bench comprising of Justice SK Kaul and Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah issued a notice for a contempt plea against the State Government and Nagaland State Election Commission. The plea was made due to non-compliance with the Apex Court's order directing them to conduct local body elections in Nagaland. The Union Government was also issued notice in light of a prayer seeking the deployment of Central forces. The court stayed the operation of the order dated 30.03.2023, which cancelled the election programme, until further notice.
Justice Kaul expressed his disappointment with the non-compliance of the court's order dated 14th March 2023, telling the Counsel appearing for the State of Nagaland that it was unacceptable, and that the court would not allow it. The order had challenged the Nagaland Assembly's resolution to exempt the operation of Part IXA of the Constitution of India, which mandates 33% reservation for women in Municipalities and Town Councils of the State.
Previously, in April 2022, the State of Nagaland had informed the Apex Court that the State Government had resolved to implement 33% reservation for women in local body elections after a consultative meeting attended by all stakeholders. The court had directed the State Election Commission to complete the election process by January 2023, which was notified on 9th March 2023 to be held on 16th May 2023.
However, the local body elections were cancelled by a notification issued by the Election Commission on 30.03.2023. This was done with the consent of the Chief Minister, citing opposition from three groups. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves, appearing for the petitioner, mentioned the contempt petition before the Bench, highlighting the cancellation of the election. Justice Kaul expressed displeasure and stated that both the State Government and the Election Commission were in breach of the court's order. The matter is next listed on 17.04.2023.
TAGS: Supreme Court notice contempt plea non-compliance order State Government Nagaland State Election Commission local body election Union Government operation election programme Justice SK Kaul Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah Nagaland Assembly resolution Part IXA Constitution of India reservation women Municipalities Town Councils election schedule free and fair elections citizen breach April 2022 consultative meeting stakeholders Apex Court January 2023 affidavit election process notification Senior Advocate petitioner PUCL Colin Gonsalves cancelled Chief Minister three groups will of the people judicial order teeth contempt.
