West Bengal poll panel cancels its order extending time to file panchayat poll nominations

The decision has generated severe discontent among Opposition party leaders.

This April 7, 2018 photo shows Congress members protesting in front of the West Bengal Election Commission office ahead of the upcoming Panchayat polls.

The West Bengal State Election Commission on Tuesday cancelled its order extending the date of filing nominations for panchayat elections.

Though the last day of filing nominations was Monday, the Commission had extended it till 3 p.m. on Tuesday following complaints that Opposition candidates had been prevented from filing papers.

The new notification says, “It appears that there was no specific direction by the Supreme Court of India for extension of the nomination date. Therefore, on perusal of all the papers and considering all the points, the Commission hereby recalls the said order and therefore rescinds the (previous) order.”

The decision has generated severe discontent among Opposition party leaders. They alleged that State Election Commissioner A. K Singh was “pressured” by Trinamool Congress leaders to cancel his earlier order.

The All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA), women’s wing of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), staged a demonstration outside the Commission's office in South Kolkata.

(With inputs from PTI)