The fog has not yet cleared regarding when the municipal elections will be held in Uttarakhand. Along with this, discussions have also started regarding the elections of three-tier panchayats, whose five-year term is now about five months away from ending. Amidst all this, the BJP wants that civic and panchayat elections should be held together in the changed circumstances. According to sources in the state BJP, a suggestion has also been given by the party to the government in this regard. It has been argued that this will save the expenditure on elections and there will be no hindrance in development work if the elections of both the small governments are held together.
Municipal elections could not be held due to Lok Sabha elections
Not only this, many other problems will also be resolved. It will be interesting to see how much importance the government gives to this suggestion. After the term of the municipal bodies in the state ended on December 2 last year, they were handed over to administrators when the situation for elections could not be created. Meanwhile, due to the Lok Sabha elections, the civic elections could not be held and on June 2, the government extended the term of administrators in the civic bodies for three months. However, the government has to take decisions regarding the fresh determination of OBC reservation in the civic bodies as well as some amendments in the Act.
Not only this, the government had given an affidavit in a case going on in the High Court that civic elections will be held by June 30, but such a situation does not seem to be happening. Now the High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the extension of the term of administrators. Even if the government decides to hold civic elections soon, the next three and a half months are rainy season. In such a situation, conducting elections will be a big challenge. It is clear from this entire scenario that civic elections are bound to take time.
At the same time, the five-year term of three-tier panchayats is also going to end at the end of November this year. According to the Panchayati Raj Act, elections are required to be held 15 days before or after the end of the term. In such a situation, the government has to work hard for the elections of three-tier panchayats as well. Looking at all this, BJP has now suggested to the government that it would be better if civic and panchayat elections are held together. According to sources in the state BJP, the party has suggested to the government that holding civic and panchayat elections together will set a new example. Also, this will enable voters from villages and cities to vote in their respective areas. This will get rid of factionalism in civic and panchayats. Most importantly, holding elections together will reduce expenses and development work will not be affected due to the code of conduct. According to sources, the government is deliberating on this suggestion of the party.
