Local body polls only after delimitation, says TNSEC

The senior counsel appearing for the DMK contended that TNSEC was yet again in contempt by not adhering to the court order of notifying the election dates. But with Monday being the last day for Chief Justice Indira Banerjee following her elevation to the Supreme Court, she along with Justice M Sundar posted the case before another bench to be heard on Tuesday. 

The case is likely to be heard by a division bench comprising Justice M Sathyanarayanan and Justice M Sundar. 

In response to the direction seeking the schedule for the election, M Malik Feroze Khan, State election Commis-sioner, TNSEC, submitted an affidavit, which offered the schedule for delimitation and tentative notification of elections. 

As per the affidavit, by August 31, the delimitation committee would complete its work (urban local bodies in seven districts and rural local bodies) and send the recommendation to the Government. 

Pointing out that the acceptance of recommendation and publication of the notification containing new delimited wards of all rural and urban local bodies must be done by the Government, the affidavit said after this notification, recommendation of proposals for reservation of wards to SC/ST/women would be sent by the delimitation com-mission within six weeks after notification.

Thereafter, three months from the date of notification accepting the delimitation regards SC/ST/Women wards, only then the tentative notification of programme of elections by TNSEC could be announced, the affidavit said.

It also noted that three months’ time is essentially required for preparation of the ward wise electoral rolls of local bodies based on the newly delimited wards in 12,524 village panchayats, 388 panchayat unions, 31 district panchayats, 588 town panchayats, 124 municipalities and 12 corporations.

Moreover, time is also required for the completion of other pre-poll related activities like establishing new polling stations for re-aligned new wards, electronic voting machines, indelible inks, ballot boxes and other election materials procurements.

Without the territorial area of each ward being determined through delimitation, consequential reservation for the ward cannot be made. Subsequently, election notification cannot be done, the affidavit added.