Haryana will now have a large number of young Sarpanches as the State populace has largely voted for young leaders in the first two phases of the three phased elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
As per the State Election Commission, the average age of those elected as Sarpanch is 34 years. However, in case of district Mewat, the average age is 28 years which is the lowest average age of an elected Sarpanch in the State.
A spokesman of Election Commission said that this indicates that there has been an overwhelming response in favour of the youth because of the educational criteria and other conditions fixed by the present State Government for contesting the elections to PRIs. The spokesman said that in the first phase of the elections held on January 10, 264 elected Sarpanches are graduates or above. 344 elected Sarpanches were ten plus two pass whereas 1552 and 416 Sarpanches were 10th and eighth pass respectively.
Also, as many as 1061 female sarpanches have been elected in the first phase of these elections. Apart from this, 1515 male sarpanches have been elected in the first phase of these elections.
According to the new Panchayati Act, general-category candidates for panchayat polls must have a minimum qualification of completing class 10. Scheduled Caste and women aspirants are required to clear Class 8 while women from the SC category are eligible only if they have passed class.
Apart from mandatory educational qualifications for the candidates, the Act made it mandatory that poll candidates have a functional toilet at home. Anyone found defaulting in payment of agricultural loan and electricity bills are also disqualified from contesting the poll.
The spokesman said that in the second phase of these elections, 219 elected Sarpanches are graduate or above. The highest graduates are from Ambala i.e. 23 followed by 21 from Mahendergarh. 243 elected Sarpanches were 12th pass, whereas 1165 and 337 Sarpanches were 10th and eighth pass respectively. 1154 male sarpanches and 810 female sarpanches have been elected in the second phase of elections. Out of these, high number of 57 female sarpanches are elected from Mahendergarh.
The third phase of PRI election is scheduled to be held on January 24.