TN Panchayat polls on Dec 27, 30: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave the go-ahead for holding the Panchayat elections on Dec 27 and 30 in Tamil Nadu, except in the nine newly-constituted districts. It also directed that the polls be held on delimitation based on the 2011 census.

The Apex Court also wanted delimitation process to be completed within three months for all wards and offices in the nine new districts.

“After hearing the arguments, we feel that the interest of justice is subserved by issuing direction to the respondents to apply the 2011 census to all impending elections irrespective of the number of seats determined by the delimitation commission after carrying out the delimitation exercise. “The delimitation as per our last order dated 6.12.2019 shall be completed within three months,” Chief Justice SA Bobde, heading a three-judge bench, observed. He was hearing the petition filed by DMK, Congress, MDMK and others who had challenged the TN Election Commission notification on the ground that the interests of women candidates and listed communities will not be met with.