PANAJI
The State government has decided to seek legal advice from the Advocate General on whether panchayat elections can be postponed in the State, as the State Election Commission will need some time for reservation of wards as per the recent Supreme Court’s verdict on reservation.
The Supreme Court in its recent directives had directed all States and State Election Commissions to follow the triple test on the reservation of seats.
The triple test involves appointment of dedicated Commission, specifying the number of OBC candidates on the basis of the actual OBC population in those particular wards and areas, and ensuring the total reservation quota does not exceed the 50% ceiling.
“No reservation for OBCs can be provisioned until the triple test exercise mentioned in a 2010 Constitution bench verdict is completed in all respects,” the SC judgment delivered in petition related to local body polls in Madhya Pradesh on May 10 stated.
The term of the existing panchayat bodies will expire on June 19 and the State government now plans to hold panchayat elections after the monsoon.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday chaired a meeting with Panchayats Minister Mauvin Godinho, Chief Secretary P K Goel, Secretary (Panchayats) Sanjay Gihar and other officials to deliberate in the matter.
“Our aim is to hold panchayat elections as soon as possible. There is an SC judgement on May 10 that we have to follow the triple test. Reservation of OBC wards has to be identified and only after that, the SEC or the State government can finalise on panchayat election dates,” said Godinho.
“During the meeting, it was decided to take legal opinion from the Advocate General.”
Hinting that elections were likely to be postponed, Godinho said Panchayat elections are to be held within six months from the date of expiry of the existing term.
The SEC has to conduct afresh the exercise of reservation of wards and the file submitted by SEC regarding the reservation of wards would now be sent back to the Commission.
The State government has to appoint administrators for the 189 village panchayats, if the elections are postponed.
