Shimla, May 25
On the eve of the first phase of Panchayat elections in Himachal Pradesh, the State Election Commission (SEC) cracked the whip on ineligible contestants and deferred the election to the post of Pradhan in Gram Panchayat Tali of Naina Devi development block in Bilaspur district after disqualified candidates were found in the fray.
The action by the SEC has sent a strong message across the state ahead of polling on Monday, where lakhs of voters are set to exercise their franchise in the first round of the three-phase rural local body elections.
According to an official press note issued by the Commission, the election process for the post of Pradhan was kept in abeyance after it came to light that an Anganwadi worker and a Mid-Day Meal worker had entered the contest despite being barred under existing Panchayati Raj election rules.
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The SEC stated that the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Bilaspur informed the Commission that both candidates were disqualified categories under the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act and election guidelines.
However, during scrutiny of nomination papers, no objections were raised before the Assistant Returning Officer by rival candidates or any other party, leading to allotment of election symbols.
The matter surfaced only after complaints were later submitted before the Returning Officer and District Election Officer. Acting on these complaints, the Commission intervened and deferred the election for the Pradhan post till further orders, while allowing elections for all other Panchayat posts to continue as scheduled.
The development has intensified the already heated debate surrounding eligibility and disqualification norms in the Panchayat elections this year.
Questions over who can contest have dominated the political discourse in rural Himachal, particularly after recent controversies involving ASHA workers, outsourced employees and encroachers claiming rights under the Forest Rights Act.
Political observers say the SEC action reflects increasing scrutiny over the background and eligibility of candidates as voters demand cleaner local leadership free from allegations of corruption, conflict of interest, encroachment and misuse of government schemes.
The first phase of polling would be held on May 26 tomorrow, followed by voting on May 28 and May 30 across 3,758 Panchayats in the state. More than 50 lakh voters are expected to participate in what is being seen as a crucial grassroots political exercise ahead of future Assembly battles.
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