The Government of Assam has formally upheld the validity of the Assam Pharmacy Council (APC) election held in February 2024 and confirmed the constitution of the Council, bringing an end to all disputes related to the election process.
In a detailed final order issued by the Health & Family Welfare Department on November 27, 2025, the state government said it examined the election under the provisions of the Pharmacy Act, 1948 and the Assam Pharmacy Council Rules, 1959, along with records, representations, committee findings and legal opinions, including those of the Judicial Department.
The order also took note of the directions of the Gauhati High Court in WP(C) No. 1563/2024 dated June 10, 2025, under which the petitioners were relegated to the statutory remedy available with the state government. Following this, a committee was constituted in July 2025 to examine all aspects of the February 2024 election, including objections raised on the conduct of polling, counting, recount demands and the competence of the Returning Officer.
After examining the committee report and seeking the views of the Judicial Department, the government concluded that the Returning Officer was legally competent to conduct the election and that the election process substantially complied with statutory provisions. The Judicial Department opined that there was no legal infirmity in holding the election and that the election could not be declared void on the grounds raised by the petitioners.
The government further recorded that no illegality, irregularity or procedural violation affecting the outcome of the election was established. Allegations relating to voter lists, dispatch of ballot papers, counting of votes, missing Form C envelopes and demands for recounting were examined and found insufficient to invalidate the election under the existing rules.
Accordingly, the Government of Assam declared the Assam Pharmacy Council election held in February 2024 as valid, confirmed and upheld the election results, disposed of all claims and objections, and closed the matter. With the issuance of the notification, the Assam Pharmacy Council stands duly constituted with immediate effect.
Elected Members (Section 19(a)): Shri Bikash Saikia, Shri Birendra Kumar Barman, Shri Firdous Khan, Md. Matiur Rahman , Shri Riazuddin Ahmed, and Shri Mizanur Rahman.
Nominated Members (Section 19(b)):
Dr. Surajit Tamuli, M. Pharm, PhD; Mrs. Sukriti Das, M. Pharm; Dr. Amal Baruah, M. Pharm, PhD; Dr. Pran Pratim Saikia; and Shri Gautam Hazarika.
Member (Section 19(c)): Representative of the Assam Medical Council.
Ex-Officio Members: Director of Health Services, Assam; Drugs Controller, Assam; and Government Analyst, State Drug Testing Laboratory, Assam.
Welcoming the decision, Dhruba Gogoi, President of the Assam Registered Pharmacists’ Association (ARPA), said the government’s speaking order has brought clarity and finality to the issue and will enable the Assam Pharmacy Council to function smoothly in the larger interest of the pharmacy profession in the state.
