Panchayat-Nikay Polls: High Court to Hear Postponement Plea on May 11

The Rajasthan High Court is scheduled to hear the state government's application regarding the postponement of Panchayat and local body elections on May 11. In its petition, the government has stated that conducting elections before December isn't feasible under the current circumstances. The state has provided a month-by-month situational analysis to justify its request for an extension of time.

Government's Arguments for Postponement

The government informed the court that while it made every possible effort to comply with the previous judicial orders, the present conditions make it impossible to hold elections by the April 15 deadline. The application highlights several constraints, including the pending OBC Commission report, the availability of schools and staff, and the shortage of EVMs and other essential resources. The government suggested that since the terms of many Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads end between October and December, it would be more appropriate to conduct elections after that period.

State Election Commission Supports Government Plea

The State Election Commission has also moved the High Court with a separate application supporting the government's request to delay the polls. In its submission, the Commission backed the government's reasoning, specifically noting that it isn't possible to conduct elections before the final determination of OBC reservations. The Commission has formally requested the court to extend the election timelines accordingly.

Contempt Petition and May 18 Hearing

In a related development, the High Court will hear a contempt petition filed by former MLA Sanyam Lodha and Giriraj Singh Devanda on May 18. The petitioners have accused the State Election Commission of willfully defying the court's earlier directives. It's pertinent to mention that the High Court had previously directed the government to ensure elections were held by April 15, a deadline the state has now sought to bypass through its latest application.

Push for One State One Election Concept

' By waiting for the terms of various local bodies and district councils to expire later this year, the government aims to streamline the electoral process, which it claims would be more efficient in terms of resource management and administrative coordination.

The government emphasized that several Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads are completing their terms in October-December, making it ideal to hold elections after that period.