Assam Panchayat Elections Postponed Until After Bohag Bihu, Confirms CM Sarma
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on January 12 that the Panchayat elections in the state would be postponed until after Bohag Bihu, citing an unsuitable environment for conducting the polls. The delay aligns with court directives and the ongoing matriculation and higher secondary examinations.
The decision comes amidst legal challenges over the delimitation process for Gaon Panchayats. Several writ petitions have been filed, alleging violations of the Assam Panchayat Act during the delimitation exercise. Petitioners sought interim relief to halt the process and annul the final delimitation list.
The Gauhati High Court, in a prior ruling, clarified that its orders from December 17, 2024, applied only to petitioners in nine specific writ petitions. It acknowledged the constitutional mandate to hold Panchayat elections within the designated timeline but emphasized that newly filed petitions would be addressed individually.
The court has scheduled WP(C) No. 48/2025 for further proceedings and issued notices to the concerned parties. Despite ongoing disputes, it has allowed the Panchayat election process to move forward, while legal issues surrounding delimitation continue to unfold.
CM Sarma’s announcement provides clarity on the timing of the elections, ensuring they will take place only after one of Assam’s most significant cultural festivals.
