WB Panchayat polls: SC refuses to extend last-date for nominations
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to extend the last date for the filing of nominations for panchayat polls in West Bengal, saying it could not interfere with the election process.
A bench comprising of Justices RK Agrawal and AM Sapre, however, granted liberty to all candidates to approach the West Bengal State Election Commission for appropriate relief.
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Information
What was the case?
The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party sought availability of nomination papers online, extension of the last date for filing these papers, and deployment of paramilitary forces in the state in the run-up to the polls scheduled in the first week of May.
Details
BJP approached SC alleging they aren't allowed to file nominations
BJP had on March 6 told SC that "democracy is being murdered" in West Bengal as the ruling TMC was engaged in large scale poll violence and not allowing its candidates to file nominations for the upcoming panchayat polls.
It had also alleged that assistant panchayat electoral registration officers appointed by WB State Election Commission were refusing to give nomination forms to BJP candidates.
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Dates of panchayat polls in West Bengal
Panchayat polls are scheduled to be held on May 1, 3, and 5. Votes will be counted on May 8. According to notification, the last date for filing of nominations is April 9 and the last date of scrutiny of the nominations is April 11.