Want peaceful conduction of panchayat poll: Mamata Banerjee

While interacting with reporters at Nabanna, the state secretariat, Banerjee said: "We are happy with the new dates. We want a peaceful conduction of the poll. People wants the election to occur."

Hitting out at the opposition parties, she said: "I would appeal to all opposition parties to participate in the poll process democratically. I would ask them not to spread hatred."

Without taking any opposition party's name, she had alleged political outfits to bring people from other states in the panchayat poll.

Keeping the influx of people into the state in mind, Banerjee said the state government would try to seal the borders.

The poll results will be declared on May 17.

Earlier the State Election Commission (SEC) had issued a three-phase poll on May 1, 3 and 5.

After the opposition parties moved Calcutta High Court over the pre-poll violence allegedly by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), the dates were cancelled due to delay in the election procedures.

The state government and the Muslim community had appealed to the SEC to hold the election in a single phase, considering the beginning of Ramadan in mid-May.

Ramadan, the ninth month of Muslim calendar, is widely celebrated by Muslims by fasting.