NPF calls for holding timely ADC election
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 04 2024: Naga People's Front/Manipur State Unit (NPF/MSU) has expressed serious concerns over the repeated delays in holding the Autonomous District Council (ADC) elections, calling it deprivation of the right to local self-government.

In a release, NPF/MSU highlighted that the Article 371 (C) of the Indian Constitution, which provides special provisions for the state of Manipur, led to the enactment of the Manipur Hill Areas Autonomous District Council Act 1971 to strengthen Indian democracy at the district and grassroots levels.

The party said that this constitutional provision must not be ignored by any authority or successive government.

NPF noted with concern that the ADC elections, first delayed for 20 years in the past, have continued to face postponements.

The most recent election, due in May or June 2020, was postponed under the pretext of the COVID-19 lockdown and has yet to be conducted.

The NPF statement pointed out that other significant elections, including the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Election in early 2022 and the 18th Lok Sabha Election in 2024, were held despite various challenges.

They further said that that holding the ADC election would be a positive step toward fulfilling the three-tier system of Indian democracy.

It further informed that during a recent state office bearers' meeting, NPF/MSU thoroughly discussed the issue and decided to appeal to the state government to conduct the ADC election as soon as possible.

The party also expressed its support for the state cabinet's decision to hold the ADC, Panchayat, and Municipal elections in September 2024.They maintained that the cabinet decision must be implemented positively and warned that failure to conduct the elections would amount to negligence of the constitutional provisions for the development of the hill areas of the state.

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