Unlike most other states in India, Nagaland (along with Mizoram and Meghalaya), does not fall under the Panchayat Raj System.
In 2011, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA), an influential women's organization, filed a petition with the Gauhati High Court regarding the matter.
That same year, the court directed the Nagaland government to conduct local body elections.
However the ruling was overturned by the state government through a resolution rejecting women's reservation in the polls.
Subsequently, the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court of India.