Hold ADC elections by Nov: ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 30 2020: Adopting a contrasting stand to the one taken by the Chairmen of Autonomous District Councils of Ukhrul, Chandel, Sadar Hills/Kangpokpi and Tamenglong, the All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur has submitted a memorandum to Governor Dr Najma Heptulla to take up necessary measures for the early conduct of the ADC elections.

The ADC Chairmen had earlier urged the State Government to extend the term of the office of all Members of the ADCs by another six months till May 31, 2021 .

Urging the Governor to take up necessary steps for holding the election within November this year, ATSUM minced no words in asserting that it will not remain silent if elections to the ADCs are not held in consonance with the resolution adopted on March 3 this year in a Cabinet meeting.

In the memorandum submitted to the Governor, ATSUM recalled that for reasons best known to itself, the Hill Areas Committee had recommended deferment of the ADC elections and to hold it in November 2020, 'due to the rainy season' .

Picking holes with the recommendations of the HAC, ATSUM said that the spirit of the principle Act is just a one time arrangement to avoid administrative difficulty arising out of social turmoil, natural calamity or financial breakdown in the State or hill areas and not 'rainy season' as justified by the Chairman of the HAC.

The student body also reminded that the State Election Commissioner had written to the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department to approve holding the ADC elections in mid November this year, pending the opinion of the State Disaster Management Authority.

The Election Commission of India has also notified that elections to Bihar Assembly and by elections to 65 vacant seats all over the country will be held.

As such there is no reason why elections to the ADC should be deferred, said ATSUM.

Though the State Election Commission had sought permission from the State Government to publish the draft electoral rolls of ADCs of each Constituency on September 14, no such publication has been made, said ATSUM and added that the tenure of the present ADCs will end by November this year.

It is therefore imperative for the State Government to dissolve the six ADCs and pave way for a fresh election along with the by elections to the vacant Assembly Constituencies, asserted ATSUM.

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