Kolkata, December 27, 2012 : .In the midst of ongoing dispute over the Howrah Municipal Corporation’s status, the state electoral commission has announced poll dates for four other municipal corporations within the state.
The state election commission did not include Howrah because of the continuing dispute between Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and the state government over a bill that would have required its bifurcation. On Monday, the West Bengal State Election Commission announced that elections to four municipalities — Siliguri Chandannagar and Bidhannagar — would be held January 22.
Saurav Das, State Election Commissioner, stated that nominations can be filed for the January 22 elections on December 28.
The deadline for nominations is January 3.After that, the papers will be examined.Reporters were informed by Das that January 6 is the deadline for withdrawing nominations.”
He said that Asansol, with its 106 seat count, is the most populous municipal corporation.Siliguri has 47 seats and Chandannagar 33.Bidhannagar, with 41 wards.
The SEC stated that repolling will take place on January 24 if there is any.
The January 25th count will be used to determine the results.
Das stated that the commission had adopted updated electoral rolls up to November 1, 2020.
The model code will apply in poll-bound zones starting Monday, he said.
The controversy led to the Howrah Municipal Corporation being left out by the commission.
After the Assembly passed the Howrah Municipal Corporation Amendment Bill, the governor refused to sign it.This sparked a controversy.
This amendment bill would bifurcate Howrah Municipal Corporation, removing 16 wards and forming Bally Municipality.Before signing the bill, the governor requested more information from the state government.
After the Advocate General claimed that Raj Bhavan had cleared the bill, the controversy grew.The governor immediately responded by claiming that he had not yet signed the Howrah Municipal Corporation Bill.
It is currently being considered as inputs from Chief Minster Mamata Banerjee.
Although the state wanted to hold the HMC elections along with those for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, that was not possible due to the issue.
The election to HMC now is at risk.
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