22 letters in 12 months,but no resolution in sight

z In September 2012,the state government urges SEC to hold panchayat elections in end-January 2013,for which then chief secretary Samar Ghosh writes to SEC.

z The poll panel categorically informs the Panchayat Department that panchayat elections are not possible in January,as proposed by the department. The SEC says it needs at least six months’ time from publication of notification for holding polls. Besides,the elections could not be held in February-March for several reasons including the budget session. Opposition parties also protest as the roll revision process had not started.

z SEC says the election will be held according to the new voters’ list based on age as on January 2013 and,accordingly,it decides that election will be held in summer ie April-May.

z SEC sends a letter in the first week of March expressing willingness to conduct panchayat elections in three phases with deployment of 800 central forces. The state rejects the proposal and remains firm on holding polls in two phases with armed police. Subsequent letters between the SEC and state government deal with negotiations on the issue.

z On March 22,the state government issues a notification for panchayat elections in two phases: 14 districts in the first phase and three Congress-dominated districts in the second phase. The SEC,however,does not issue a parallel notification in this regard. They send an 11-page letter to the state government asking for clarification on the logic behind the poll schedule as well as transfer of 19 BDOs and two SDOs prior to the panchayat poll,along with its view on central forces.

z The government sends a letter sticking to its stand,terming the SEC letter “irrelevant” and “schoolboyish”. Another government letter makes it clear it will not budge from its stand.

z Unable to resolve the deadlock,SEC moves Calcutta High Court on Monday.