Panchayat Elections Delayed in Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to continue the current gram pradhans in village panchayats for another six months after local body elections could not be conducted before the end of their term.
The tenure of gram panchayats formed after the 2021 elections officially ended on May 26, but the state government issued an order allowing the existing village heads to continue temporarily as administrators.
OBC Reservation Panel Behind Delay
The delay in panchayat elections comes after the state government recently formed an OBC commission to study reservation arrangements in Panchayati Raj institutions.
The commission has reportedly been given six months to submit its recommendations regarding Other Backward Classes reservation in local body elections.
Officials said the elections cannot be completed until the reservation process is finalised.
Government Cites Legal Provision
According to the Panchayati Raj department, the decision has been taken under provisions of the UP Panchayat Raj Act, 1947.
The law allows temporary administrative arrangements when elections cannot be held due to unavoidable circumstances or public interest reasons.
Under this arrangement, current gram pradhans will continue to oversee village panchayat administration until fresh elections are conducted.
