Gauhati High Court Halts Panchayat Election Notification Amid Delimitation Challenges

The Gauhati High Court has barred the Assam State Election Commission from issuing notifications for panchayat elections without prior approval. The directive, issued by Justice Soumitra Saikia, came while hearing petitions against the recent panchayat delimitation process.

The Assam government planned to hold elections by February 10, 2024, but the next court hearing is set for January 9, delaying the timeline. The court noted that a 45-day gap between notification and polling is mandatory, making the February deadline unattainable.

The court allowed time for petitioners to respond to the State’s affidavit, keeping the matter pending for further review.