No Decision to Extend Nomination Filing Deadline, Says State Election Commissioner PK Chakraborty

Agartala: The State Election Commission has no plans to extend the deadline for filing nomination papers for the upcoming municipal and urban local body elections, State Election Commissioner PK Chakraborty has clarified. He also stated that the High Court had issued no direction to extend the nomination filing period.

Speaking on the High Court proceedings concerning the nomination process, security arrangements and the possibility of extending the deadline, Chakraborty said the Commission had taken necessary measures even before the court issued its directions.

He stated that instructions had been issued to officials of the Urban Development Department, the concerned District Municipal Officers and Returning Officers to ensure adequate security during the nomination process. The police authorities had also been directed to make necessary arrangements for sufficient security personnel along the routes leading to nomination filing venues.

According to the Commissioner, the Commission has received written reports from the officials concerned. Returning Officers had also held meetings with representatives of various political parties and taken necessary steps regarding security arrangements.

However, as per the reports submitted by the Returning Officers, no candidate had directly approached their chambers in an attempt to file nomination papers, Chakraborty stated.

Responding specifically to questions about extending the nomination deadline, the State Election Commissioner reiterated that the High Court had not issued any such direction. He also maintained that the Commission had not created any obstruction in the process of filing nomination papers.

With this clarification, the State Election Commission has made it clear that there is currently no decision to extend the nomination filing deadline beyond the prescribed schedule.