The State Election Commission (SEC) has withdrawn its notification for conduct of local body elections in the Union Territory, following directions by the Madras High Court on Thursday. State Election Commissioner Uddipta Ray announced this at a press meet here on Thursday.
The election schedule announcement made by the commission for the five municipalities of Puducherry, Oulgaret, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam and ten commune panchayats namely Bahour, Ariyankuppam, Mannadipet, Nettapakkam, Villianur, Kottucherry, Nedungadu, Neravy, Thirumalairayanpattinam and Thirunallar stands withdrawn. The notifications with regard to reservations of specified seats including chairman of municipalities stands cancelled, said Ray.
The model code of conduct which has been in force from December 3 has also been withdrawn.
Ray said that after the government completes the delimitation exercise and the new map of wards is redrawn and notified, the SEC will commence the process and it will be completed in three months time.
The High Court has directed the government to complete the census within two months and go for delimitation process after that.