Over a thousand new gram panchayats have been added after delimitation process paving the way for the panchayat elections that could take place in Uttar Pradesh sometimes in September-October this year. With this new addition total number of gram panchayts would be slightly over 53,000.
“This Panchayat election would be the biggest electoral exercise of India. New Gram Panchayats have been created ensuring that villagers get their voice and representatives in effective manner,” Udai Veer Singh, a senior official told The Pioneer here on Sunday.
As per 2011 census there were 52,000 gram panchayats while in 1949 there were just 35,000 gram panchayats. “With increase in population demand for creation of new panchayats has increased. It was decided that 2015 elections would be help under new delimitation process. Objections were sought from different agencies and after verification of these complaints approximately 1030 new gram panchayats would be added to the list,” the official said.
Delimitation process in 71 out of 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh has been completed. The four districts from where the delimitation reports are awaited are: Noida, Gonda, Moradabad and Sambhal. New gram panchayats should come into effect from November 6 this year.
The State election Commission, which is responsible for the Panchayat elections, have taken control six months prior to cut off date and has issued notification regarding this. It has directed the state government not to transfer DMs or the block level officers without its permission. This decision has been taken to ensure verification of voters’ list as DMs are the returning officers.
Officials say in view of such a large electoral college the elections might not be held through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). “It is for the technical reasons we might not use EVMs because in this election we need 54 symbols and technically it is not possible to have such a large number of symbols. Therefore, in all probability, we might go with traditional ballot papers,” official said.
It is believed that Commission might need over 55 crore ballot papers. There would be nine sets of papers of different colour and size. “A final decision regarding this would be taken soon,” he said.
Singh however said that I-cards would be mandatory for the voter to cast votes. It could be anything EPIC or ration card the voter should have a photo identity with him at the time of casting votes, he said.