Defer BTC polls, govt tells poll panel

Update: 2010-09-15 00:00 GMT

GUWAHATI, Sept 19 - The State government has written to the State Election Commission to defer the BTC polls in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governor�s Rule was imposed in the Bodoland Territorial Council areas in April last following the expiry of the term of the general council. Elections to the council were scheduled for April 4 but had to be deferred on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said on the advice of the health department, the State government has asked the State Election Commission to put the elections on hold.

�We cannot afford the COVID-19 situation to deteriorate further,� Sarma said, referring to the pre-poll campaigning by parties which would lead to crowding. �From the BTC districts it (the virus) will then spread to the neighbouring districts. Already we are facing a shortage of medical gases. We won�t be able to manage the situation then,� Sarma added.

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