Defer assembly election for ‘one solution’, says The Naga Rising

The Naga Rising (TNR) has appealed to defer the Assembly election in Nagaland so that the two negotiating groups can work towards finalising the “one solution”, as desired by the Naga public and government of India.

 In a statement issued on Monday, it said that all political parties including the ruling government and key stakeholders led by the tribe hohos are in favour of a solution-first.

“The only thing that is seen as an impediment to solution-first is the negotiating parties, including the Government of India, are not able to come to a meeting point,” it said.

In a significant development, it went on to state that the WC- NNPG and NSCN(IM) have declared “unconditional commitment” to collaborate for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the government of India.

“The popular theory is that election is a constitutional obligation and cannot be deferred. Following the recent visit to Nagaland, the Election Commission of India has also affirmed this position. However, to our understanding, the holding of regular elections can be stopped by means of a constitutional amendment in consultation with the Election Commission.

“It is recognised that interruptions of regular elections are acceptable in extraordinary circumstances. In the run up to the last Assembly Elections in 2018, there were suggestions made to the Centre before the announcement of poll dates that the Nagaland elections be deferred by six months. A specific timeframe, where all stakeholders come on board, was proposed. However, the Modi government decided not to set any deadline for signing the final accord with Naga groups, it was reported in the media,” read the statement.

It said that in the context of the latest development between the NSCN (IM) and the WC-NNPG coming to a meeting point, “we appeal for deferment of Assembly elections in Nagaland to a later date so as to allow bringing to a conclusion the single solution between the Government of India and the Naga Political Groups.”

“The present political dispensation in Delhi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi can take the political initiative to defer conduct of Assembly Elections to a later date in consultation with the Election Commission of India,” it added.