Panchayat Polls: Those having more than two children ineligible to contest

October 9: Invoking Section 111(2), the Assam State Election Commission has notified that persons with more than two living children from a single partner or multiple partners will not be eligible to contest panchayat election as per the Panchayat (Amendment) Bill 2018 passed by the Assam Assembly. Further, Assam Panchayat (Formation) Amendment Rules, 2018 was also referred while issuing the said notification regarding the maximum number of children, one could have, if he/she wanted to file nomination for the polls. In this matter, the following rules have to kept in mind by the willing candidates before filing nomination for the ensuing Panchayat polls:

1. Persons with more than two living children from a single partner or multiple partners will not be eligible to contest the Panchayat polls
2. However, Clause No.1 will not be applicable for those persons, who already have more than two children, prior to the coming of effect of the said Amendment, that is, 19 March, 2018.
3. If any person have only two children on 19 March 2018, but gives birth to another child after that date, than he/she will be considered ineligible to contest the Panchat polls.

The said notification was issued by the Secretary of Assam State Election Commission, Dispur, Guwahati.