Calcutta HC proposes rescheduling of Panchayat Election dates, proposes to hold elections on July 14

The Calcutta High Court is currently deliberating on proposals to extend the deadlines for the submission and withdrawal of nominations for the upcoming Panchayat elections. The court has suggested moving the nomination submission deadline from June 15 to June 18 and the withdrawal deadline from June 26 to June 21. Additionally, a proposition to reschedule the elections from July 8 to July 14 is also being discussed.

Two public interest litigations have been filed in the Calcutta High Court challenging various aspects of the State Election Commission's notification regarding the Panchayat elections. State Congress president Adhiranjan Chowdhury and state leader of the opposition Shubhendu Adhikari have raised concerns over the notification's provisions, prompting a legal examination of the matter.

The Chief Justice said, “We are aware of the fair election of the commission so that voters can vote. You have a lot of power. Has the CCTV been videographed? Paramilitary can help the state police.  The Chief Justice said that the commission will assess the matter. It will be beneficial if the central force comes, because if all the police of the state go to vote, then what will happen to the law and order of the state? Civic Volunteers are not the police. They won't do anything.

The Commission cited the example of enrolling a child in a school to justify not extending the enrollment period. The counsel for the State Election Commission said, “Suppose I am going to get my child admitted in school. I know what documents are needed. I cannot claim extra time for this. He said that the nomination can be extended from June 15 to June 16.

The Chief Justice told the commission, “You are giving 4 hours a day. But even this much time is not enough. In response to this, the commission said, 'Four hours time is being given, that is, the nomination will not stop till that time. After that the door does not close. Only those who enter till 3 pm will be able to enroll.

After listening to the complaint of the BJP lawyer, the commission's lawyer said, "Our hands are tied according to the law." But we are committed to conduct free and fair elections. BJP's lawyer told the court that there is not even 40 seconds for each candidate's nomination, clarifying, “Nominations are being taken for 4 hours every day. If we calculate in 5 days, then the average time of 73 thousand candidates is not even 40 seconds.