Assam Assembly passes bill to defer civic body elections by one year

The Assam assembly on Thursday passed a bill allowing deferring of polls to municipal bodies by one year after expiry of their scheduled terms, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Assam Municipal (Amendment) Bill, 2020, passed on the penultimate day of the four-day session, also provides for appointment of a senior official as the in-charge of the council concerned after the end of its scheduled term.

As per the bill, the state government shall direct the Deputy Commissioner or the Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil), as the case may be, of the respective jurisdiction, to take over the charge of the Municipal Boards for a period not exceeding 12 months from the date of expiry of the term of the office of the Commissioners.

--IANS

sc/vd