Guwahati: The Assam government has taken a significant step towards bolstering the Panchayati Raj system by constituting 7 Panchayat Election Tribunals across various districts in the state. This decision, taken under Section 127 of the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994, follows a recommendation by the Gauhati High Court. The newly formed tribunals will be responsible for handling direct election petitions related to Panchayat elections.
The tribunals, each headed by a district judge, will be located at the district headquarters in the following districts: Bajali, Biswanath, Charaideo, Hojai, Kamrup (Metro), Majuli, and South Salmara Mankachar. Functioning as civil courts, these tribunals will have the authority to summon witnesses, seek document production, receive evidence on affidavit, and issue commissions for examination of witnesses or documents.
The notification outlines the procedure for handling election petitions, including filing applications, issuing notices to opposing parties, and hearing the parties. The tribunals will follow the procedure of civil courts while trying suits under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908. Any order passed by the Panchayat Election Tribunal on an election petition will be final, ensuring timely disposal of election-related disputes.
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