Hold civic polls by July 15, Bengal told

A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday ordered the West Bengal Goevernmet to hold the Panchayat polls in three phases by July 15.

The Bench of Chief Justice Arun Mishra and Justice Joymalyo Bagchi directed that the dates for the election should be notified by the government in consultation with the State Election Commission (SEC) in the next three days.

The Bench, while not accepting the SEC’s contention that 800 companies of central armed police forces were required to hold the polls -- a matter bitterly contested by the TMC-led government -- said the state may procure forces from other states or the Centre, if necessary.

The court asked the government to provide 400 observers to the SEC.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “I’m very happy. All is well that ends well. I welcome the court order.”She said the court order “foiled” the Opposition’s ploy to not allow the civic elections to take place.

The tenure of the self-governing bodies ends on June 10.

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