Bengal Panchayat Polls: Calcutta HC Refuses To Extend Last Date Of Filing Nominations

Bengal Panchayat Polls: The opposition sought extension of dates for filing nominations while alleging that TMC workers were not allowing their candidates to file nomination papers.

Security personnel arrive following clashes between CPI(M) and TMC activists during nomination filing for panchayat polls ( Image Source :PTI )

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday refused to extend the last date of filing nominations for the July 8 panchayat polls in West Bengal. The court left the matter to the discretion of the State Election Commission.

"The discretion to extend the date rests entirely with the SEC. The SEC is competent to deal with such issue and the court leaves it to the discretion of the commission," the Chief Justice said.

The court, however, ordered deployment of central forces in sensitive areas.

"In areas where Central forces are not deployed, it should be the responsibility of the State Police. SEC should ensure the safety of the polling agents. SEC should and shall consider to requisition of deployment of Central Paramilitary forces for sensitive areas," the HC said.

READ | Bengal Panchayat Polls: Violence In South 24 Parganas, ISF Claims Candidates Stopped From Filing Nomination

In its petition, the opposition Congress and Left sought extension of dates for filing nominations while alleging that ruling Trinamool Congress workers were not allowing their candidates to file nomination papers and were resorting to violence. The petition also sought quashing of the June 9 notification by the SEC.

The SEC on June 8 announced that the rural polls would be held on July 8 and the last date for filing nominations is June 15.

"If we quash the notification, it will be like putting a question mark on the election itself. This court is not inclined to entertain this petition," the Chief Justice further said.

In a report, the State Election Commission (SEC) told the High Court that it could extend the last date of filing nominations by a day to June 16.

Several incidents of clashes were reported from different parts of West Bengal on Monday as opposition leaders claimed they were attacked while they were on their way to file nomination papers.

The skirmishes were reported in Daspur (Paschim Medinipur), Kakdwip (South 24 Parganas), Raninagar (Murshidabad), Saktinagar and Barshul (both in Purba Bardhaman) and Minakhan (North 24 Parganas).

The SEC has directed all district magistrates and superintendents of police to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CRPC around all nomination centres.