Once again, a controversy has been reported in elections of AIPNBOA. After Siliguri, dispute has been reported in Dibrugarh circle.
The members alleged that their nomination for the election was rejected on false grounds. The members have filed a case in Court against the discrimination in election process.
What’s the case all about?
On 9 November 2025, the members of AIPNBOA requested to conduct the overdue elections of the Dibrugarh Circle. Election Circular No. 01/2026 dated 13 February 2026 was subsequently issued to conduct elections. The circular announced the election schedule and specified the requirements for submitting nomination papers.
According to the representation, candidates, proposers and seconders were required to provide a certificate confirming payment of up-to-date association subscription. However, the circular did not specifically mention submission or attestation of salary slips as a mandatory condition for filing or accepting nomination papers.
After scrutiny of the nomination papers, Election Circular No. 02/2026 dated 23 February 2026 was issued.
The nomination papers of candidates opposing the existing Circle Committee were rejected, mainly on the grounds of non-submission or non-attestation of salary slips as proof of subscription payment. In some cases, levy-related grounds were also cited.
The affected members argued that salary-slip submission or attestation had not been prescribed as a mandatory requirement in Election Circular No. 01/2026 dated 13 February 2026.
Following the rejection of their nomination papers, the affected candidates submitted a representation seeking reconsideration of the decision. They also sought clarification on the grounds and basis for rejecting their nominations.
In their representation, the candidates argued that introducing a new requirement during scrutiny, which was not mentioned in the election notification, amounted to changing the rules after the election process had already started. They demanded reconsideration of the rejection and equal treatment of all candidates.
After the grievance remained unresolved, the affected members approached the competent Civil Court. They challenged, among other issues, the rejection of their nomination papers and the subsequent election proceedings.
The court considered the pleadings and documents placed before it and took note of the dispute concerning the election process, rejection of nominations and declaration of the election result. The matter was found to require further adjudication.
On 18 March 2026, the Civil Court granted an ad-interim temporary injunction against the newly constituted Circle Executive Committee of Dibrugarh Circle.
Under the order, the committee was restrained from functioning or conducting the affairs of Dibrugarh Circle as the Circle Executive Committee. It was also restrained from taking policy decisions on behalf of the Circle and from operating, handling or dealing with the cash and bank funds of the Circle Executive Committee maintained with Punjab National Bank, Dibrugarh Branch.
Other members challenged the 18 March 2026 injunction before the Court of the Additional District Judge and obtained an interim stay.
Subsequently, following an application by the aggrieved party, the stay order was reconsidered by the competent court. The stay was thereafter set aside/quashed. According to the information provided, the court recorded findings that the stay had been obtained by suppression of material facts and by misleading the court.
The matter therefore remains sub judice, and the validity of the election process and related issues are yet to be finally determined.
More details will be released soon.
Click here to read about AIPNBOA Siliguri Election Controversy
