West Bengal Panchayat Elections 2018 Dates: 'Conduct Polls on May 14, Declare Results on May 16', Govt Suggests SEC

Kolkata, April 26: The West Bengal government on Thursday recommended the State Election Commission to conduct the state-wide panchayat polls in a single-phase on May 14. The SEC was also suggested to schedule the counting of votes on May 16.

The Commission is yet to respond to the recommendation of the government. After scrutinising the dates suggested, the SEC will issue an official notification.

The panchayat elections were earlier scheduled to be conducted in three phases on May 1, 3 and 5. The results were to be declared on May 12. However, the Calcutta High Court ordered the SEC to reschedule as the Opposition alleged its candidates were prevented to file nominations by the TMC cadres and "state machinery".

The court, while hearing the petition filed by the BJP, was presented with evidence which suggested the ruling party workers prevented the Opposition nominees from filing their candidature by resorting to violence.

"The court's order should be considered as a reprimand for the Mamata Banerjee government. They have tied up with all the unruly elements of the society to ensure democracy is scuttled," said BJP state leader Chandra Bose.

Before the Calcutta HC's order, the Opposition - Congress and BJP - had moved the Supreme Court seeking deployment of central forces in the state for the conduct of polls, alleging the state police is "acting on behest of the TMC government".

Although the top court had turned down their plea, it had ordered the SEC to ensure a "free and fair election" is conducted in the state.

The rural polls will witness a contest on a total 825 seats across 20 zilla parishads, 9,217 seats in 341 panchayat samitis and 48,650 seats in 3,358 gram panchayats.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 26, 2018 04:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).