GUWAHATI, March 10 - �We are hopeful that all the Guwahati Press Club (GPC) voters will exercise their franchise in this election, turning it into a great democratic festival in the annals of the GPC, after the dark period of long 17 years, during which their right to vote was trampled by some forces inimical to democracy, by keeping the GPC under their control, violating all democratic norms and the GPC constitution.�
It was observed by the presiding officer of the upcoming GPC election Ajit Patowary in a statement issued on behalf of the election committee on Tuesday.
He further said, �These forces have now moved the court to frustrate the democratic aspirations, with a plea to stall the ongoing election process. But, we have full faith in our judiciary, and are hopeful that the court will reject all such pleas and uphold the democratic values.�
The election committee, while addressing the media here, today announced that the preparations to hold the GPC election of March 12 are complete. In the election, altogether 36 candidates, including eight women, are in the fray for 10 posts, two of which are reserved for women. A total of 816 voters will exercise their franchise in the polls.
The ballot boxes and the polling centre would be sealed on Wednesday in full view of the candidates, and their authorised polling and counting agents. The election committee has urged all candidates and their agents to be present at the GPC campus by 3 pm for the purpose.
According to the poll committee, the City Police Commissioner has assured to deploy adequate number of security personnel on the GPC campus from the afternoon of March 11 till the election process comes to an end on the night of March 12.
Along with the presiding officer, returning officer of the election Bijan Kumar Mahajan was also present at the press meet.
