The three-tier panchayat polls that are due in November-December in the State are most likely to be put on hold due to Covid 19 pandemic and vacancies at top positions in State Election Commission. Sources said that in the State Election Commission, the posts of State Election Commissioner, Joint Election Commissioner and Secretary are vacant for months. The Commission at present has under secretary rank officers looking at the affairs of the commission.
An official of State Election Commission requesting anonymity said, “The three-tier panchayat polls in State is being conducted by State Election Commission, but as there are vacancies at commissioner and secretary rank officers it is unlikely that election will be held before there is regular appointment of these officers.”
The officer refused to divulge the time when the election will be held but it is unlikely that election will be held before June next year.
Replying to a query, State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Alamgir Alam today talked about having an alternative system at panchayat level till panchayat elections are not held.
Alam who holds charge of Rural Development department in Hemant Soren Cabinet said, “Till the elections to the three tier panchayats are not held in State, there will be formation of groups or committees in each panchayats as per Panchayati Raj system. Public representatives who have worked under the Panchayati Raj system will be included in the group or committee.” The alternative system will function till the panchayats polls are not conducted. Alam further said, “Discussion at various levels is going on for constitution of group or committee at rural areas so that the developmental works at villages and panchayats are not hampered.”
The tenure of gram panchayats in the State is to expire in January, while the election is likely to be held in November-December. In Jharkhand panchayats election for the second time was held in 2015. The three tier election was held in 24 districts for 263 blocks, 4402 gram panchayats among others.
Sources said that the minister cited corona pandemic for delay in election, but many states in the country have smoothly conducted panchayats polls despite corona cases higher than Jharkhand. Rajasthan, Telangana, Assam and Goa are some states which have recently conducted local bodies’ elections.
Moreover, the opposition BJP too has attacked the State Government for delay in conducting local bodies’ election. BJP legislative party leader Babulal Marandi has accused the government of centralizing power claiming that more than 4000 panchayat bodies will cease to function from December this year due to delay in three tier panchayats.