Tripura: State Election Commission to conduct Village Committee polls in December

Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 13 (ANI): The long-awaited village committee elections will finally be conducted this December, the State Election Commission informed the Tripura High Court.
The court has been closely monitoring the situation, especially due to ongoing litigation regarding the elections.
State Election Commissioner, Sardindu Choudhary said, "There were so many Court cases regarding Village Councils election. Now all the court cases have been disposed of. As per our proposal, after completing the panchayat election at least 4 month time is required to hold the village committee election. I also agreed with this proposal. The Court has directed to conclude the VC election by 2024. So we are going to hold that."
Previously, the High Court had intervened, halting the election process and mandating a series of court hearings to address various issues, including contempt of court. These legal proceedings have significantly delayed the elections. However, in its latest session, the High Court insisted on a clear schedule from the State Election Commission, leading to the announcement of the December elections.
The State Election Commission outlined that the preparation process would start post-July, with the finalization of voter lists and boundaries to be completed by August. The commission assured that all logistical and administrative procedures would be in place to ensure a smooth electoral process.
There are currently 587 village committees under the commission's jurisdiction. The commission is tasked with ensuring that all these committees are prepared for the elections. The exact date for the polls will be finalized after considering various administrative factors and ensuring compliance with the High Court's directives.
The upcoming elections are crucial for the local administration as they play a vital role in governance at the grassroots level. The State Election Commission is committed to conducting free and fair elections to uphold democratic values in the region.
The court, having acknowledged the commission's preparations, has lifted the stay on the election process, urging the commission to adhere to the new timeline strictly. This move is expected to bring stability and restore local governance in the affected areas.
The announcement has been welcomed by various political entities and the general public, who have been waiting for the democratic process to resume in their localities. The High Court will continue to oversee the process to ensure compliance and address any further legal hurdles that may arise. (ANI)