The State Government is ready to conduct elections to North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC) in Dima Hasao district.
To prepare the electoral rolls for the conduct of the next election to the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council as per provisions of Rule 128 and Rule 129 of the Assam Autonomous Districts (Constitution of District Councils) Rules, 1951 as amended, the Assam State Election Commission, HN Bora issued a notification on July 18, 2018.
The term of the NCHC ended on June 3, 2018. But keeping in view the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) update process, the State Governor increased the term of the Council for another six months.
In the meantime, former Chief Executive Member (CEM) of NCHAC, Samarjeet Haflongbar, filed a PIL in Gauhati High Court. The High Court fixed July 17, 2018 as the date of hearing of the case, but as no one from the Government side turned up, July 25, 2018 has been fixed as the next date of hearing in the case.
Meanwhile, the Assam State Election Commission has notified the names of Returning Officers and also other officers authorized to perform the functions of Returning Officers vide notification, No SEC 31/2017/15 dated 21.03.2018.
As per the notification of the Assam State Election Commission, July 26, 2018 has been scheduled as the date of publication of draft electoral roll along with list of struck off and reinstated persons (under Rule 129(3).
The people will be able to file claims and objection from July 27, 2018 to August 10, 2018 while the claims and objections will be disposed from August 13, 2018 to August 24, 2018.
The date of publication of the final electoral roll is August 30, 2018.
The qualifying date for preparation of the electoral roll is March 1, 2018.
Returning Officers may engage the authorized officer already notified vide Commission notification dated 21.03.2018 to assist the Returning Officer in preparation of the electoral rolls. If the Returning Officer, however, considers it necessary, one more Gazetted Officer may also be engaged for preparation of the electoral rolls with prior approval of the Assam State Election Commission, SEC Bora stated in the notification.
Bora also stated, the Returning Officers are also authorized to engage additional staff to assist the Returning Officer and authorized officer (to function as Returning Officer) in preparation of the electoral rolls.
It seems the NC Hills Autonomous Council election is likely to take place in September.