HT Correspondent
NAGAON, June 24: Allegations have surfaced against Mamtaz Begum, the newly elected ward member from Ward No. 9 of Madhabpara Gram Panchayat under the Raha Assembly constituency, for allegedly violating the two-child norm mandated for panchayat election candidates in Assam.
According to sources, a section of local residents has lodged a formal complaint alleging that Begum, who has three children, declared only two in her nomination papers—thereby flouting the eligibility guidelines laid down by the state government. As per the directives entrusted by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, individuals with more than two children are not eligible to contest panchayat elections.
Despite objections raised by locals at the time of nomination, the district election authorities accepted Begum’s nomination. She subsequently contested and won the seat.
Residents of the Gram Panchayat have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and urged the authorities to take appropriate legal action based on the findings of the enquiry. The complainants have also sought disqualification of Begum’s candidature if the allegations are found to be true.
The matter has raised concerns over the enforcement of poll norms and has prompted calls for stricter scrutiny during the nomination process to uphold electoral integrity at the grassroots level.