There is a possibility of a four-phase panchayat election in Palamu. Palamu being a leftwing extremism (lWE)-hit district, which is fearing to affect the coming panchayat elections and would have led district administration to recommend for multi-phased local level polls.Sources said DC Palamu K Srinivasan and SP Palamu Patel Mayur K lal has sent in a joint report to the Jharkhand State Election Commission for a four-phased panchayat election in this district. Palamu has 283 panchayats. The administration has urged the State Election Commission to approve of this proposal keeping in mind the security scenario in the district.
Palamu district panchayati raj officer Shanti Pandey has confirmed a missive to this effect has been sent to SEC and expressed hope the proposal would be approved. Sources said the election to be spanning over four phases is all due to availability of vehicles for polling teams, utilisation of polling personnel, making of clusters. better and effective security measures, monitoring of adherence to poll code of conduct etc.
Officials in the district are also keen for four phase poll in Palamu that would definitely minimise fear of extremism as then there would be enough time for the police to tame and control the undesirable element.
