West Bengal: Rural bodies’ elections

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This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content.

2018

TMC wins 34.2% of seats before a single vote is cast

May 1, 2018: The Times of India

Uncontested seats- West Bengal, rural bodies' elections- 2003-18
From: May 1, 2018: The Times of India

Even before a single vote is cast in the panchayat polls, the 2018 panchayat poll has already scripted a record as the fate of 34.2% seats in the three-tier rural bodies have been decided without a contest. The ruling Trinamool is the only party which has been able to field candidates for all the rural body seats.

Figures released by the State Election Commission revealed that of the 48,650 gram panchayat seats in the state, TMC has already bagged 16,814. The fate of 3,059 panchayat samiti seats and 203 zilla parishad seats have also been decided without a contest.

While uncontested victories in rural polls is nothing new in Bengal, the scale this time has eclipsed all previous records, sources said. Election analyst Biswanath Chakraborty argues that only twice before, in 2003 and 2013, had the percentage of uncontested seats reached the double-digit mark. The figure was 11% (6,800 setas) In 2003, and 10.66% (6,274 seats) in 2013. “If you compare it with the 2013 figure, we are witnessing a three-fold jump. This is a record,” he said.

Amid the protracted legal battle, the SEC indicated on Sunday it will inform the Calcutta HC that during the four-hour window to file nominations on Monday, 5,697 nominations were filed. “A total of 269 nominations for Zilla parishad were filed on the last day of nomination, while 1,337 nominations were filed for panchayat samitis and 4,097 for the gram panchayats. The argument that opposition could not file nominations does not hold ground,” said an SEC official.