901 seats go uncontested in Gram Panchayat polls this time

As many as 901 seats are not being contested during the gram panchayat polls this time. Of the total 6,073 GPs in the State, elections are being held to 5,835 panchayats.

Addressing the media here on Wednesday, State Election Commissioner P Srinivasachari said that 901 seats were not being contested either because the villagers have boycotted the polls as a protest against lack of development works in their villages or because of mutual understanding among candidates not to contest certain seats. Also, elections to 238 GPs were not being held for various reasons such as non-expiration of their term, stay order from courts and the upgrading of GPs as urban local bodies.

For the first time, electronic voting machines (EVMs) are being used in GP polls this time. The polling will be through EVMs  at 1,154 polling stations in Bidar district on a pilot basis, Srinivasachari added.

Though complaints about seats being “auctioned” had been received, the SEC on inquiry did not get any evidence since there were no complaints in writing.

“There is a possibility of the complainants having worked out a compromise, or in some instances, they might have backed out owing to the fear of repercussions,” he added.
Since the GP polls are closely contested, SEC, apprehending trouble, has instructed the district administrations to make adequate security arrangements for the polling.

Draw of lots

When asked about the non-announcement of reservation for the posts of chairmen and deputy chairmen of the GPs, Srinivasachari said that it was a cumbersome process and the deputy commissioners had been asked to draw lots for the selections after the announcement of the poll result.

He said that the NOTA option and EVMs would be introduced in the next elections. The Ramesh Kumar committee recommendation on conducting polls four days after announcing the list of candidates would be considered for the next elections.

The Commission had received very few complaints of poll code violations, he said, adding that on Wednesday a complaint had been received about certain candidates campaigning under party banner. He said that the GP polls assumed primacy as the first time, over one lakh female candidates were in the fray.

‘Delegate delimitation of ULBs’

The State Election Commission will ask the Karnataka government to delegate to the poll panel, the works related to delimitation of urban local bodies and publication of rotation of seats.

State Election Commissioner P N Srinivasachari said on Wednesday that earlier SEC had written to the government asking it allow it to “perform its Constitutional duty”, and that it would reiterate its demand.

Presently, the delimitation of ULBs and publication of the roster is being carried out by the Urban Development Department. SEC is presently handling delimitation and preparation of roster for rural local bodies.

In numbers

Total number of GPs: 5,835
Total seats: 94,348
Members elected unanimously: 8,687
Polling stations: 37,754
Total voters: 2,78,50,874
Male voters: 1,41,80,139
Female voters:1,36,70,735
Polling on: May 29, June 2
Counting of votes on: June 5