Civic polls unlikely as government extends term of special officers

The State government has provided another six-month extension to special officers of all urban and rural local bodies by making necessary legislative amendment. However, the DMK-led Opposition staged a walk out from the House, protesting the Amendment Bill passed successfully by voice vote on Saturday. 

Moving bills to amend relevant Acts of municipalities, corporations, town panchayats and panchayats in the state, state municipal administration minister SP Velumani justified the amendment or rather deferment of the civic polls by informing the House that, “The State Election Commission has requested the government to extend the tenure of the special officers for the maximum period of six months from June 30, 2017, to administer the affairs of the urban local bodies.”

Velumani cited the pendency of a writ appeal and a special leave petition before Madras High Court and Supreme Court respectively to justify the extension, second of its kind given to SOs in the state after the term of the local bodies in the state expired on October 24, 2016.