Nagaland introduces anti-defection ordinance for ULBs
Kohima: Following the historic Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) elections in Nagaland held in June, the Nagaland government has enacted a pivotal anti-defection ordinance aimed at ensuring political stability within these bodies.
Titled the Disqualification on Ground of Defection in Urban Local Bodies Ordinance 2024, the ordinance was officially gazetted in the Nagaland Gazette Extraordinary on July 15.
Nagaland governor L Ganesan promulgated the ordinance, which takes immediate effect upon publication.
It mandates the disqualification of ULB members who resign from their political party or vote against party directives without prior permission.
However, exceptions are outlined for cases of merger, where at least two-thirds of a legislature party's members consent to the decision.
Under the ordinance, the chairman of the urban local body assumes the pivotal role of the final authority on matters concerning disqualification.
This includes the authority to establish procedural rules for the effective implementation of the ordinance's provisions.
The introduction of this ordinance follows the first ULB elections held in Nagaland in more than two decades.