City
Epaper

Panchayat polls: Calcutta HC questions SEC’s role in Trinamool candidate filing nomination from abroad

By IANS | Updated: July 4, 2023 19:25 IST

Kolkata, July 4 The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday questioned the role of the State Election Commission (SEC) ...

Open in App

Kolkata, July 4 The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday questioned the role of the State Election Commission (SEC) over a Trinamool Congress candidate filing nomination for the July 8 panchayat elections from abroad.

“What would have happened had the matter not come before the court? The nomination filed from abroad would have been considered valid in that case,” observed the single-judge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha.

On June 22, CPI(M) had filed a petition alleging that Trinamool candidate from Kumarjole in North 24 Parganas district, Moinuddin Gazi, was in Saudi Arabia during the nomination phase. However, his nomination was accepted by the local block development office, raising questions as to how could a candidate file his nomination from abroad, when his personal presence is mandatory at the time of the filing process.

Later his nomination was cancelled. Gazi is supposed to return to India from Saudi Arabia on July 16, when both the polling (July 8) and counting (July 11) for the rural civic body polls would be over. Disciplinary action has also been initiated in the matter against the concerned returning officer.

While hearing the matter on Tuesday, Justice Sinha maintained that such cases raise serious questions about the role played by the SEC.

She also directed that all the documents relating to Gazi's nomination should be preserved so that proceedings can be initiated against him after his return to the country.

“This is an orchestrated offence and needs thorough investigation. In the next hearing, direction will be given as to which agency will probe the matter,” Justice Sinha said, as she listed the matter for next hearing on July 19.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Tags: Moinuddin gaziState Election CommissionThe Calcutta High CourtTamil Nadu State Election CommissionGoa state election commissionDivision bench of the calcutta high courtMaharashtra state election commissionState elections commissionAndhra pradesh state election commissionDelhi state election commissionUttar pradesh state election commission
Open in App

Related Stories

MaharashtraMaharashtra Lok Sabha Election 2024: Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Cleared of Alleged 'Funds for Votes' Remarks

MaharashtraState Election Commission announces dates for Maharashtra's Gram Panchayat Polls

PoliticsRural Polls: Bengal govt calls for strict action against perpetrators of violence

PoliticsBengal Guv directs SEC to update Calcutta HC on 7,500 complaints received by 'peace room'

AurangabadCourt orders prosecution of agriculture minister Sattar

Politics Realted Stories

Maharashtra'Chaddi Baniyan' Protest at Maharashtra Assembly: Opposition Stages Agitation Against Sena MLA for Punching and Slapping Canteen Staff (Watch Video)

MaharashtraMaharashtra Monsoon Session: Ajit Pawar Slams Bhaskar Jadhav Over Fund Allegations, Says 'No Need for Unsolicited Advice'

MumbaiUddhav Thackeray Pats Raj Thackeray on Back at Victory Rally Speech; Emotional Video of Thackeray Brothers Goes Viral

MaharashtraMarathi Language Controversy: ‘Did I Pass a GR Against Brotherhood?’ Devendra Fadnavis Hits Back at Uddhav & Raj Thackeray

NationalAssembly Bypoll Results 2025: AAP Wins Visavadar and Ludhiana West Seats; Congress Wrests Nilambur Seat in Kerala