State election commission takes control of local bodies elections

Mumbai, Mar 9 (UNI) The Maharashtra State Election Commission has decided to take control of all the elections in local bodies as per the order issued on March 7.

A release, by Election Commission said that the state government was reluctant to give this right to them despite making frequent demands. Three letters were sent to chief secretary and three to Chief Minister on this issue.

The release further said that the commission received several complaints that the first meeting of Grampanchayat never takes place on the given day and cited the example of several villages where the first meeting did not take place even one year after the election.

The after 2001 local bodies election, the meeting of 24 municipal councils did not take place on the given day.

According to the relevant provision in the constitution, the meeting of any local body should be held on the next day but this provision is also not followed, a release added.

The first meeting elects sarpanch, Upsarpanch, mayor, deputy mayor, Zilla parishad president, chairpersons of panchayat samiti and these elections are in the purview of state election commission and so the commission will be able to pay attention whether the constitutional requirements are being followed or not.

UNI JM KU VD VC1958