Election notification triggers political activity in villages

Following notification by the Rural Development and Panchayat Development regarding panchayat elections by October 20, aspirants contesting elections have started approaching leaders of political parties — despite being debarred from contesting elections of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

As per information, following the approval of the CM, the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, has issued a notification regarding the election. “In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 209 of the Punjab Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 (Punjab Act 9 of 1994); and all other power and enabling him in this behalf, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to direct that the general election of the members of the gram panchayats shall be held by October 20, 2024,” reads a notification issued by Secretary, Rural Development and Panchayat Department.

However, more conservative aspirants from the general category have chosen to stagger lobbying and campaigns till the roster of reservation is prepared and released by the district administration. Most of the PRI elections being due since commencement of the ensuing year, the Punjab Government’s notification regarding conduct of panchayat elections by October 20 has triggered political activity at 176 villages of Malerkotla.

Though the prospective candidates have been debarred from contesting election on any party political symbol, aspirants — including former sarpanches and panches — have started approaching senior leaders of Aam Aadmi Party, Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Sudhar Lehar).

Harjinder Singh Samra, husband of a former sarpanch, said contesting elections on individual symbols would dilute factionalism in villages, which are known for teething competition among supporters of various political parties. Samra called upon aspirants contesting election for panchayats to work selflessly for the development of their localities while continuing loyalties towards their respective political leaders.

“Though my family is long associated with SAD and my wife had won election on party ticket, it does not mean that we will not support candidates contesting elections independently,” said Samra. He added that a decision about contesting election will be taken only after publication of reservation roster.

ADC (D) Navdeep Kaur said the process for preparing a roster of reservation would be initiated after receipt of formal instructions on the issue soon.

“Though we have already done spadework for undertaking various jobs related with conduct of panchayat elections, we will initiate the process for preparing the roster of reservation, which is to done block-wise,” said Kaur.

Deputy Commissioner Pallavi said the personnel in various departments of all the three sub-divisions had been advised to maintain the sanctity of the poll process by creating an environment for free and fair electioneering.

“As government officials have been running panchayat operations and people are waiting for the conduct of elections to formally constitute their panchayats, we have advised everyone concerned to ensure that maximum number of eligible voters come forward to use their right to vote without any pressure or allurement,” said the DC.