VA (village authority) elections score mix bags
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 02 2012:
Under the Manipur Village Authority (Hill Areas) Act 1955, village authority elections have been conducted with high participation percentage in Naga villages while many Kuki villages were least enthusiastic with the democratic exercise.
As part of the election process, Deputy Commissioners concerned were instructed to submit reports of the said elections within November 27 .
under the provision of the Act, village authority election process was completed on November 22 with the DC concerned duly advised to ensure smooth conduct of the grassroots level elections.
While most of the naga villages joined the electoral process, for Kuki villages the level of participation is said to be low with some of the villages defying the exercise.
in Ukhrul district all the 220 villages took part in the exercise compared to about 10-15 villages left out of the exercise in Tamenglong district which has 285 .
Those left out of the election process is said to be either due to dispute on chairmanship issues or pending Court cases.
With the exception of ADC Kangpokpi, elections have been conducted in most of the village authorities under Senapati district.
Regarding status of village authority election for Kangpokpi ADC, participation percentage could not be worked out as relevant report has not yet been placed to authority concerned.
Similarly, reports for the election conducted in chandel and Churachandpur districts could not be confirmed till date as DCs concerned have not submitted the same even though information has been received that village authorities in these districts joined the poll process.
It is pertinent to mention that the elections were conducted amid objections from some village chiefs and social organisations.