The State Government has started preparations for Panchayat polls. The State Election Commissioner (SEC) D.K.Tiwari in a meeting with Panchayati Raj department secretary Rahul Sharma and deputy commissioners of the State on Saturday reviewed preparedness for the Panchayat election in State.

The State Election Commissioner issued various directives to officials such as demarcation of polling booths, security arrangement, publication of posts in accordance with reservation criteria, availability of ballot boxes and review of electoral roll besides other allied matters.

During the meeting, Tiwari was informed that funds were allotted for the printing of voter lists and repairing ballot boxes. He was assured that funds for expenditure in other heads will be allotted on time. All those participating in the meeting agreed to conduct an election. The State Election Commissioner meeting reviewing preparations for Panchayat polls assume importance as political parties in State have been demanding for holding Civic body polls.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders and workers staged demonstrations across the over 250 blocks in Jharkhand demanding conduction of Panchayat elections at the earliest. Addressing a demonstration of party workers and leaders in Namkum, BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Deepak Prakash accused the ruling Hemant Soren-led government of delaying Panchayat polls to avoid decentralization of powers, and termed the government’s policies “dictatorial”. “The government is postponing Panchayat elections as a part of its hidden agenda of continuing the corrupt practices in different areas of the state unabated,” said Prakash, adding that the BJP wants Panchayat polls to be held at the earliest in a bid to bring an end to the “monkey business” in the state.

Also, the ruling party (JMM) before the election has focused on completion of government pending works especially in rural areas. At the JMM working committee meeting held at JMM chief Shibu Soren residence being attended by JMM executive president and Chief Minister Hemant Soren and other lawmakers last week it was decided that welfare work started by the state government will be spread.

The tenure of gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zilla parishads in Jharkhand was completed in November-December 2020 itself. Due to the unforeseen circumstances arising due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state government has given extension to Panchayati Raj system twice.

Earlier, it was planned that elections under the three-tier Panchayati Raj system was to be held in five phases from the second week of December to the first week of January and the Parliamentary affairs minister Alamgir Alam had even talked about holding panchayat election by end on this year, but now it appears that election will be held next year.