Hailakandi gears up for Panchayat election

Hailakandi, November 21, 2018:

3,318 nominations have been received for elections to four levels of PRI constituencies in the district of Hailakandi in southern Assam.

District Development Commissioner and Officer-in-charge Nomination Cell, FR Laskar disclosed altogether 3,318 nominations were received out of which 2,615 were filed by Independent candidates alone.

Laskar further revealed that 80 nominations were found valid for Zila Parishad Member, 352 for Gaon Panchayat President, 345 for Anchalik Panchayat Member and 2,403 for Gaon Panchayat Member. 47 nominations were rejected after scrutiny on Tuesday.

Interestingly, the numbers of Independents contesting the election far outnumber the candidates from all the recognised political parties put together. Of the total nominations received, Independents constitute a major chunk with 2,615 candidates. Of the five development blocks, Lala received the highest nominations 974 followed by Hailakandi 827, Algapur 739, Katlicherra 354 and South Hailakandi 343.

386 candidates are in the fray for BJP followed by INC with 126, AIUDF 92, AGP 50, NCP 17, CPI(M) 6, TMC 7, SUCI(C) 1 and 2,495 Independents.

Hailakandi goes to poll along with nine other districts in the second phase on December 9. It has PRI constituencies comprising 11 ZPM, 62 APM, 62 GPP and 620 GPM. Of the total 3,87,132 electorates, 2,13,309 are male and 1,73,823 female.

Meanwhile, training of presiding and first polling personnel has been conducted. The district administration headed by Deputy Commissioner, Adil Khan has drawn up a comprehensive plan, including security arrangements for smooth and hassle-free conduct of the election. Several cells have been constituted headed by a senior officer with assisting staff for smooth conduct of the entire election exercise.

Superintendent of Police, Mohneesh Mishra has held security review meetings with the OCs of police stations to ensure maintenance of  law and order on the day of polling. Polling will be held in 626 polling stations spread across the district. Most of the ‘sensitive’ and ‘very sensitive’ polling stations fall in the South Hailakandi areas close to the Assam-Mizoram border which is plagued with the problem of extremism.