The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) election is likely to be postponed as the Assam government has asked the State Election Commission (SEC) to defer the polls in the wake of the outbreak of coronavirus.
“The Assam government has advised the State Election Commission to defer the BTC polls. The election commission will make an announcement soon in this regard,” Assam health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters in Guwahati on Friday.
The BTC polls were slated for April 4 and the results were scheduled to be declared on April 8.
Minister Sarma said government has asked the poll panel to take as decision on suspension of campaign until the situation becomes normal and the new poll date is announced.
Many social media users expressed concern over the election commission’ decision to go ahead with the BTC polls on April 4.
Former Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday had demanded that the BTC polls be deferred to prevent spread of the Coronavirus.