Elections for 102 local municipal bodies in the state will now be held next year. This is what is being indicated by the letter sent by the State Election Commission to the District Magistrates regarding registration of names in the electoral roll of municipal bodies. Voters who are going to complete 18 years of age on January 1, 2025 in the body areas will be able to fill the prescribed form on December 8, 9 and 10 to include their names in the electoral roll. According to the Commission, this process will be completed by December 15. Then these names will be registered in the voter list of the bodies. The government had earlier given an affidavit in the High Court in the ongoing case regarding the body elections that the body elections will be held by December 25, but in the circumstances, it does not seem possible. In view of OBC reservation in the bodies, the amendment ordinance in the Body Act is still pending, so the reservation rules also have to be flagged off. Then the reservation has to be determined, which is sure to take more than a week at least. In such a situation, it is clear that the civic elections will be postponed. Meanwhile, State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar has sent a letter to all the District Magistrates with a view to include names in the electoral rolls of the municipal bodies. It has been said that since the civic elections are likely to be held next year, the names of all those persons should be included in the electoral rolls of all the municipal bodies, who are completing 18 years of age on January 1, 2025. The process of addition, amendment and deletion in the electoral roll will continue till the last date of nomination. The Commission has also issued a timetable with a view to running a special campaign to include the names of new voters in the electoral rolls. District Magistrates have been instructed to keep the current electoral roll accessible to the general public at the municipal body, tehsil and district headquarters. It will also be available on the Commission’s website from January 5.
With a view to include the names of new voters in the rolls, computer and related employees will be present at the polling centers and places on December 8, 9 and 10. Forms related to inclusion of names can also be obtained at municipal bodies, tehsil and district levels. This process has been asked to be completed by December 15.
