SC stays Calcutta HC order ON E-FILING OF NOMINATIONS

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Calcutta High Court order asking the West Bengal State Election Commission to accept nomination papers filed through e-mail for contesting the panchayat elections in the state.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra took note of the fact that almost 17,000 candidates have won the panchayat polls unopposed and dubbed it "worrying" while directing the State Election Commission (SEC) not to declare them as winners.

The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, directed the state poll panel to ensure "free and fair" panchayat elections on May 14 in the state.

The apex court said the high court's direction and the fact that 34 percent of the candidates have won unopposed, is "worrying".

On May 8, the high court had directed the SEC to accept the nominations of those candidates named by CPI(M) who had filed their papers electronically within the stipulated time before 3 pm on April 23.

The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 3.

The SEC on Thursday moved the apex court challenging the Calcutta HC order directing it to accept the nominations of candidates who have filed their papers electronically within the stipulated time for the panchayat elections.

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court on Thursday disposed of the petition of the Congress seeking quashing of the single-phase Panchayat polling date on May 14 on the grounds of inadequate security arrangements thereby making it clear that it has no objections in holding of a single phase poll, as announced on May 14.