The Uttarakhand High Court has lifted the stay on the panchayat election process in 12 districts of the state. The government has to respond within three weeks. The Election Commission will now issue a new schedule, with a delay of three days.
Uttarakhand Election: The Nainital High Court on Friday delivered a crucial decision regarding the uncertainty surrounding the three-tier panchayat elections in 12 districts of Uttarakhand. The court has lifted the stay on the panchayat election process in these districts. This provides significant relief to the state government, and the Election Commission has been directed to amend the election schedule and proceed further.
Decision announced by the bench of Chief Justice
The bench of Chief Justice Justice G. Narendra and Justice Alok Mehra passed the order while hearing the petitions. Objections had been raised in the petitions regarding the reservation roster for panchayat elections. During the hearing, the court held that it was not appropriate to stay the election process at this time. It was also directed that the State Election Commission should make necessary amendments to the election schedule within three days and re-announce the new dates.
What were the main issues in the petitions?
Ganesh Kandpal of Bageshwar and other petitioners had challenged the rules and circulars issued by the government on June 9 and June 11. The petitioners contended that the government had nullified the previously implemented reservation roster and implemented a new one, which was against the previous orders of the court and Article 243 of the Constitution.
The petitions also stated that some panchayat seats had been continuously reserved for the same category for years, preventing other categories from getting the opportunity for representation. The example of Doiwala block was cited, where 63 percent of the Gram Pradhan seats have been reserved.
No more stay on the election process
After the hearing, the court lifted the stay on the election process. The State Election Commission is now responsible for announcing new dates within three days and proceeding with the entire election process. The Uttarakhand government has stated that it wants to complete the entire panchayat election process in July.
Questions also raised on the reservation of Block Pramukh and Zilla Panchayat President posts
During the hearing, the court also raised the question that if the elections for Block Pramukh and Zilla Panchayat President are held through the same process, then why is there no reservation for the post of Zilla Panchayat President. The state government has been asked to respond within three weeks.
The Advocate General's reaction
The Advocate General of the state, S.N. Babulkar, said that according to the court's directions, the State Election Commission will now make necessary changes in the election schedule. The government will file a response to the petitions within the stipulated time. Also, the court has clarified that if any candidate wins during the hearing of the petitions, their side will also be heard.
Panchayati Raj Secretary said - New schedule will be released soon
Panchayati Raj Secretary Chandresh Yadav, while talking to the media in the court premises, said that now that the court has lifted the stay, the Election Commission will very soon issue a revised election schedule. He said that the government is trying to complete the election process in July.
