By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata: A division bench of Calcutta High Court, led by Chief Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Joymalya Bagchi today directed the state election commission to hold the Panchayet elections in three phases.
The Division bench said that West Bengal Government should notify within 3 days regarding the Panchayet Election in and it should be held within the month July in three phases. All the processes of Panchayet election should be completed within 15 July, 2013.
Division bench also dismissed the probability to use the para-military force to maintain law and order and security, a demand state election commission has been pressing for. Division bench said, at least two armed Police and two constables should be posted in every sensitive polling booth. Similarly in the low sensitive polling booth, at least one armed police and a constable maybe posted.
Division bench, however, added that if there is not enough state police force, then they maybe deputed from other branches.
According to sources in the State Election commission office, they may suggest to the state government to hold elections in three phases in the month of July. Commission wants first phase ion 2 July in the North Bengal district along with another two districts. These are Coochbihar, Jalpaiguri, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, Maldah, Murshidabad and Birbhum.
Proposed election date for the second phase is 6 July, 2013 in North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas,Nadia, Hooghly and East Medinipur. And on 10 July, final phase would be conducted in the districts of Howrah, West Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia and Burdwan.
After the verdict on the panchayet election in West Bengal, State Panchayet and Rural development Minister Subrata Mukherjee expressed his happiness and said that it is a historical verdict on Panchayet election in West Bengal. He added that the state government never wanted the para-military forces, and hence it is a victory for us.
In a statement, State Election Commission also expressed its satisfaction on the Calcutta HC verdict.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that the panchayet election would be held as soon as possible.