Law Panel Moots Bill to Prevent Defection at Mizo Local Bodies

Aizawl, May 30 : The Mizoram local authorities (prohibition of defection) bill, 2010 will be enacted before the elections of the first Aizawl Municipal Council, expected to be held by August this year, as decided at a meeting of the Mizoram state law commission.

The State Law Commission, headed by its Chairman R Lalrinawma decided at Friday's meeting to enact the legislation as the anti-defection law under the tenth schedule of the constitution is applicable only to the members of parliament and state legislature and not local bodies, official sources said.

While representatives of the autonomous district councils in the state - Mara, Lai and Chakma - agreed in principle to the proposed legislation, their appeal for more time to study the draft bill was accepted by the commission.

The commission also deliberated on the formation of state minority commission and the representatives of the autonomous district councils were given time to study the proposal.

The commission passed the proposal to review Mizo Customary Law, not an act, and include judgements of different courts in the draft customary law to be placed before the state assembly for adoption.