Congress Raises Concerns Over Panchayat Elections in Assam

Allegations of Irregularities in Panchayat Elections

Guwahati, July 5: On Friday, the principal opposition party, Congress, accused the authorities of misconduct during the selection of panchayat presidents in Daipam, Baligaon, and No. 5 Baruajhar Gaon Panchayats (GPs) within the Dalgaon revenue circle.

A group of Congress leaders, headed by Debabrata Saikia, the Leader of the Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly, approached the Additional Chief Secretary of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department today, presenting a memorandum outlining their concerns.

The Congress party claimed that in Baligaon GP, six out of ten ward members endorsed Rifina Wahida Akhtara for the presidency.

"Despite this clear majority, the Circle Officer (Dalgaon) announced the opposing candidate as president, ignoring democratic principles and majority support," they stated.

Regarding No. 5 Baruajhar GP, the Congress asserted that six out of ten ward members favored Dilowara Begum.

"After the oath-taking ceremony, when the six members raised their hands in support, officials abruptly decided to hold a secret ballot in a separate room without a sealed ballot box, raising concerns about transparency. When the majority protested, they were forcibly removed from the hall through undue force and lathi charge. Following this, the officials unlawfully canceled the voting and declared the candidate from the minority four ward members as president, demonstrating clear bias and misuse of authority," the memorandum detailed.

It further noted, "A similar pattern of irregularities occurred in the Daipam GP, where six ward members, witnessing the unfair practices, exited the voting hall in protest to maintain the integrity of democratic values."

The Congress delegation expressed that "the actions of the Circle Officer of Dalgaon revenue circle, the Co-District Commissioner of Dalgaon, and the DSP of Darrang involved in this process have led to unrest and a loss of trust among elected representatives and the public."

The party has called for stringent action against the officials involved and requested that "a fair re-election or proper re-conduct of the selection process be held under neutral supervision."