Government service voters cast ballots in GTA poll

EOI  | DARJEELING  | JUNE 18, 2022: Speculations   on   the probability of the Gorkhaland    Territorial Administration election being called off was quashed on Saturday following the casting of votes by government service voters, selected for election duty. After three days of training session on the protocols of election, government employees on election duty for the GTA polls cast their votes.

The District Magistrate of  Darjeeling who is the election officer for the council body election said: "It is basically an election duty vote by those employees selected for election duty." The GTA polls for the 45 constituencies will be conducted on June 26 followed by announcement of the results on June 29.

The GTA election is being held after 0 years, with the last election held in July2012. The Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha, Trinamool Congress, Hamro Party, CPI (M) and the Congress are contesting in the election, together with independent candidates. The BGPM will contest in 35 seats, the Trinamool Congress in 10, the Hamro Party in 45, the CPI (M) in 12 and  the Congress in two seats. For the GTA polls. 277candidates are in fray, among whom 177 are independents. The Gorkha National Liberation Front, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, BGPM, Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxists and the All India Gorkha League are not contesting; arguing that the GTA is unconstitutional and has been rejected by the people. The  GNLF has filed a petition in Calcutta High Court, challenging the legality of the hill council body and nomination of the District Magistrate as the election officer. The case will be heard on June 21.