Manipur ADC polls likely in April

IMPHAL, Jan 29 – The much awaited elections to the Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur's hill districts are likely to be held on April 21 next.

The tentative ADC poll schedule came to light when the matter heard in the Gauhati High Court Imphal Bench following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Ngachonmi Chamroy of Ukhrul on behalf of the Indigenous Democratic Front (IDF) after the failure of the State Government to fulfil its promise of holding the ADC polls in April last year.

Advocate General of the State N Kotishwar Singh who appeared for the respondents submitted a copy of the tentative programme of the poll issued by Principal Secretary (Hills) of Manipur L P Gonmei before the double bench of Justice K Meruno and Justice T NK Singh on January 25 last.

As per the tentative programme issued on January 13, drafting and finalisation of the list of polling stations and electoral rolls will be completed by mid-February, while the last date of filing nominations by the prospective candidates has been fixed on March 26. The whole poll process will be completed by April 30, the notification stated. The final schedule would however be drawn up by the State Election Commission which will require the approval of the State Government.

Elections to the six ADCs of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Sardar Hills, Senapati, Ukhrul and Chandel which should have been held every five years, were last held in 1988 for Senapati and in 1984 for the rest. It has been pending for nearly twenty years following a resolution adopted by the Assembly Hill Areas Committee in December 20, 1990, which stated that elections to the district councils should not be held until and unless the provisions of the 6th Schedule of the Constitution of India are extended to the present district councils.

Ngachonmi Chamroy, President of IDF which has been launching an intense agitation for the holding of the ADC polls said, "We hope that the government sincerely implement the notification by holding of ADC polls for the welfare of the hill people".(AT)