No takers for panchayat posts in naxalite areas

Raipur, Dec 2 (UNI) In a setback to Panchyati Raj system in the naxalite-affected areas in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, people are not coming forward to contest elections to the grassroot level democratic institutions due to manifold factors, including the presence of Communist Party of India (Maoist) cadres.

Since a number of elected posts are lying vacant in tribal Dantewada and Kanker districts, the State Election Commission has announced by-elections to fill up 1884 posts of panch, sarpanch and janpad panchayat members.

Filing of nominations began on November 20 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers was November 27. Polling is scheduled for December 8.

However, even after completion of election preparations, nearly 50 per cent of the 1884 posts will remain vacant as no aspirants turned up to file nomination papers to contest the panchayat elections in the naxalite infested areas of Dantewada and Kanker districts.

Commission sources told UNI that by-elections were scheduled for December 8 to fill up 165 posts of sarpanch and 1703 posts of panch of gram panchayats and 16 posts of janpad panchayat members.

However, 923 posts will still remain vacant as none came forward to file nominations for 884 posts of panch and 38 posts of sarpanch.

Besides, the nomination paper, filed by a lone aspirant for the post of a panch, has been rejected during scrutiny.

Even in other panchayat bodies, 687 aspirants were elected unopposed as they were the only candidates who came forward to contest the elections. Three janpad panchayat members, 19 sarpanch and 665 panchs were elected unopposed.

With no aspirants turning up for many posts and others getting elected unopposed, Commission sources said, polling would now be held only for 274 posts, which include 153 posts of panch,108 posts of sarpanch and of 13 janpad panchayat members.

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