District Council polling to be held on May 19

Source: Hueiyen News Service

 Imphal, March 26 2010: The election to the Autonomous District Councils (ADC), which had not been held for the past over 20 years, are set to be held without fail this time.

The State Cabinet has resolved to hold the election in two phases in May this year.

This was decided at a meeting held at the conference hall of the Chief Minister's Secretariat this afternoon.

Chief Minister O Ibobi presided over the meeting.

A reliable source said that in the first phase, election to the ADCs of Senapati, Sadar Hills and Chandel would be held.

The election notification for the first phase would be issued on April 15.The last date for filing nomination papers is April 23, and the polling would be held on May 19 .

In the second phase, election to the ADCs of Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Churachandpur would be held.

The election notification for the second phase would be issued on April 22, while the last date for submission of nomination papers would be April 30.The polling would be held on May 26 .

Though the elections are going to be held in two phases, the State Cabinet decided to carry out the counting of votes on a single day.

The date of scrutiny, the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers and the hours of polling would be known only when the election notifictions are issued, the sorce said.

On the other hand, the State Cabinet meeting has also decided to recommend prorogue of the 7th session of the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The state Governor is likely to issue the order for proroguing the assembly session tomorrow.

Meanwhile, it is worth mentioning here that though the Government of Manipur is keen on reviving the ADCs and has fixed the dates for polling, some civil society organisations based in the five hill districts have openly declared their stiff opposition to the ADC Act, 2008, and have been demanding amendment to the Act.

At the same time, the Indian National Congress, the Manipur unit of Trinamool Congress, the BJP, etc.

have already started election campaigns in the hill districts.