Required offices to remain open through weekend to facilitate nomination filing by panchayat aspirants

GANGTOK, 27 Sept: A group of Panchayat aspirants and their supporters met with the Commissioner, State Election Commission, today in his office here at Amdo Golai demanding that the last date for filing of nomination papers be extended beyond 01 October [Monday] since one working day [26 October] of the already tight schedule [the dates were announced only on 24 Sept] was lost to the public holiday declared for the funeral of the Lachen Rinpoche and then Saturday is also a holiday [Indrajatra] and road connectivity problems prevalent throughout the State, leaving very little time for aspirants to collect all required documents for filing nomination papers in time. The crowd was strong, leading some to suggest that it was ‘gherao’, a contention dismissed by the SEC SK Gautam, who informs that some aspiring candidates and their supporters from different areas had approached his office asking that the date for filing of nominations be extended.
The Commissioner adds that he explained to them that SEC could not revoke its notifications, it could issue directives by which the aspirants will receive the time to complete the required procedures.
“Instead of extending the date, what I have suggested is that the panchayat candidates will be given Saturday and Sunday also when they will be able to get all relevant papers needed while filing of their nominations from the respective offices. I have already instructed the District Collectors from all the four districts to keep these holidays as working days and complete all pending paper works of the candidates before the date of the filing of the nominations,” Mr. Gautam informs.
In a press release issued today, the Commission has further detailed that the offices of all returning officers and assistant returning officers keep their offices open on Saturday and Sunday – on 29 Sept to give opportunity for filing of nominations and on 30 Sept for issue of caste/ community certificates “as would be necessary to the candidates for the purpose of filing nomination papers”.
It is informed that this ‘solution’ was explained to the gathering which returned satisfied with the decision of the SEC to direct officials to work through the weekend on panchayat election related work.