Preparations for the panchayat election in Palamu are on. DC Shashi Ranjan who is the district election officer as well said, “We have floated tender notice for the servicing and greasing of the ballot boxes.
We are to keep 1,200 to 1,300 ballot boxes to be in total readiness.”
He said, “We have no clue so far if there will be a ballot box or the EVM for polling in the panchayat elections.” About the electoral roll DC said the electoral rolls are to come from the State election commission Ranchi.
Palamu district Panchayati Raj Officer Smitha Toppo said our 2015 electoral roll based on the census of 2011 may be used for reorganising of the panchayats unless any more directive does not come in this regard from the state election commission.
The first panchayat election was held in 2015.
Palamu, which once had 283 panchayats has now 265 panchayats following the merger of 18 panchayats with either the Medinirai municipal corporation or with the nagar panchayat. Sources said 11 panchayats have dissolved into the Medinirai municipal corporation while 3 panchayats in Chhaterpur and 4 in Harihurganj have merged with their respective nagar panchayats. The DC said the latest merger is of the Harihurganj, where a nagar panchayat has been made. He said following the dissolution of the panchayats either with the municipal corporation or with the nagar panchayat there is to be done demarcation of the panchayats which is a very arduous task.
The DC said we have asked our officials to finalise the reservation roster in strict adherence to the provisions made for it. He said it is in the sequence of OBC, others, ST and SC this panchayat election.