Panchayat Polls in Assam Seems a Far Cry This Year

SEC to file petition in HC

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 20: The possibility of holding State panchayat polls within this year appears to be a far cry what with the State election commission announcing that it would not be able to carry out the exercise owing to paucity of time and personnel.

Talking to media persons here today, Commissioner Assam State Election Commission (ASEC) HN Bora said: “It would not at all be possible to hold the panchayat polls now as the government personnel are busy in the NRC updating process. We will file a review petition in this regard in the High Court.”

The Gauhati High Court had instructed the State election commission to complete the panchayat polls within September 15 this year. Even the Supreme Court had directed the State election commission to hold the panchayat polls. The apex court had even instructed the commission to requisition additional personnel from the neighbouring States to carry out the exercise within the deadline.

It is worth mentioning that most of the government officials including the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) are also involved in the updating of the National Citizens Register (NRC) across the State. The complete draft NRC was earlier scheduled to be published on June 30. However, owing to floods, the date was further extended to July 30 when the second draft NRC was brought out. The panchayat poll in the State was scheduled for January-February 2018. Meanwhile, the panchayats in Assam have already been completed their five-year tenures.