Jaipur : The five-year tenure of Sarpanch and Ward Panches in 7463 Gram Panchayats of Rajasthan is going to be completed in January-February 2025. Regarding this, the State Election Commission has started preparations for the elections. However, the state government postponed the elections of 49 urban bodies under One State-One Election and has appointed administrators in these bodies. The government could have postponed the Gram Panchayat elections, but according to the Constitution it is necessary to conduct elections every five years.
Why can’t the government postpone Gram Panchayat elections?
On the other hand, Rajasthan government is preparing for ‘One State, One Election’. The government has appointed administrators in urban bodies. Whereas, under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment, it is mandatory to hold elections in Gram Panchayats every 5 years, which cannot be extended except in an emergency. In such a situation, the question is how the decision to postpone the elections will be given legal form.
Can elections be held in January-February?
In Rajasthan, the tenure of 6759 Gram Panchayats is going to be completed in the beginning of next year and 704 in February. In view of this, the State Election Commission has ordered the concerned District Collectors to update the voter list and identify voter centres. With this, preparations for elections started in these Gram Panchayats. In such a situation, it is believed that the government may organize Gram Panchayat elections in January and February.
