Assam panchayat Polls: New norms cast a shadow on candidates’ number

GUWAHATI: The scrutiny of nomination papers for the phase I of the panchayat poll concluded on Friday. The State Election Commission (SEC), however, is not in a position to make the total valid candidates in this phase of poll known as panchayat poll is an elephantine task.

The district administrations completed the process of scrutiny on Friday following an instruction from the SEC. The last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is November 19.

Talking to The sentinel, SEC HN Bora said: “So far everything is going on peacefully. There was no hassle in the process of filing of nomination papers, nor was there any in the scrutiny. It’s very difficult to ascertain the total number of valid candidates now. Panchayat poll is a real elephantine task. We’re going to ascertain it within a day or two.”

According to sources, the State Election Commission feels that the number of nomination papers filed in this phase of the pachayat poll is less than what it was in the corresponding phase in the panchayat election in 2013.

Political pundits, on the other hand, say that the whole lot of new criteria imposed for fighting panchayat poll may have their impact on the number of candidates. Criteria like educational qualifications, two-child norm, having toilet facilities etc of aspiring candidates, according to political pundits, might have their cascading effects on the number of candidates.

Meanwhile, as many as 737 candidates have filed their nomination papers for the panchayat poll in Kamrup (M) district. While 24 candidates filed nominations for the six ZPC (Zila Parishad Constituencies) in the district, 59 candidates filed papers for AP (anchalaik panchayats) members, 86 candidates for GP (gaon panchayat) presidents and 568 for GP members. The six ZPCs in the metropolitan district are Barkhat, Sonapur, Dimoria, Pragjyotishpur, Paschim Mayang and Ramcharani.

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