Darjeeling, Kalimpong to have two-tier panchayat polls on July 8, first rural poll after 2000

EOI, DARJEELING, JUNE 8, 2023 : The panchayat election in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration area in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts will be held on July 8 along with rural polls in different parts of West Bengal.

The last panchayat election was held here in the year 2000 in the then Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (DGHC) area which is now the GTA. However, unlike in the other districts of Bengal, the hills will go to a two-tier panchayat poll. 

A notification issued today by the West Bengal Department of Panchayats and Rural Development on Thursday stated that: “The Governor is pleased hereby to appoint, in consultation with the West Bengal State Election Commission, the 8th day of July, 2023 as the date of poll for elections to the Gram Panchayats(GP) and Panchayat Samiti (PS).”

The notification mentions the timing of polls on that date from 7 am to 5 pm. Another Press note issued by the West Bengal State Election Commission said that on July 8 a two-tier panchayat elections would be held in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts.

Filing of nominations would start on June 9 with the last date of nomination filing beingJune15. The date of scrutiny for the nominations mentioned is June 17 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature being on June 20. 

The model code of conduct maintains the notification has come into force with immediate effect. No rallies and meetings will be allowed as part of the campaign from 10 pm to 8 am. According to the Press note Darjeeling has 70 gram panchayats with 501 constituencies and 598 seats 5 panchayat samities with 156 constituencies. 

Kalimpong has 42 gram panchayats with 260 constituencies and 281 seats and four panchayat samities with 76 constituencies.

Darjeeling has 387,952 electors as on January 5, 2023 and 514 polling stations while Kalimpong has 175,932 votes and 263 polling stations.