Assam News

Gauhati High Court urges EC to declare BTC election date by 20 Nov

The High Court has asked SEC to release an election notification for the BTC elections

Sentinel Digital Desk

Guwahati: The Gauhati High Court has directed the State Election Commission (SEC) to release an election notification with regard to the upcoming Bodoland Territorial Council elections and declare the election date by November 20.

The Court gave the order after the hearing a PIL filed on the BTC election. The order was passed by a division bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising of Justice Manish Choudhury and Chief Justice (acting) N Kotiswar Singh.

The Bench asked the SEC to conduct the polls "in terms with the decision of the Council of Ministers' meeting held on October 7, 2020." The election commission had earlier said that it will declare the poll dates after Bihar election result.

Earlier, North East Democratic Front (NEDA) convenor and Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that elections for Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) elections would be held before December 15.

The BTC elections was to be held on April 4 but was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic. Governor's rule was imposed and is still in place.

Minister Sarma had exuded confidence that BJP will form the government in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) and do all developmental work required for the region.