30 september 2024 : Facilitating Unanimity in Panchayat Elections: Challenges in Malwa Achieving consensus on the constitution of panchayats remains a significant challenge in many villages of Malwa. While there are reports of sarpanches being elected unanimously in several areas, complications often arise during the process.
Local political allegiances and conflicts over specific demands have emerged as major barriers to reaching unanimity. Opponents of the officially announced nominees are actively encouraging other candidates to enter the electoral fray.
This trend is evident even in the Chief Minister’s village, Satauj, located in the Sangrur district. During an open debate, villagers expressed differing opinions on the shortlist of candidates for the sarpanch position. Social activist Harbans Singh Happy noted that villagers are considering 4-5 candidates for the post. He stated, “While we have supporters from almost every political party in our village, none can be blamed for disrupting attempts at a unanimous election,” acknowledging the diversity of preferences among the villagers.
Once recognized by the former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for being the youngest Block Samiti member, Happy now champions the idea of unanimity, irrespective of the candidates’ political affiliations. Villagers raised several key issues, including the need for a sports stadium, banking facilities, improved irrigation, enhanced education services, and better amenities for reserved categories and women, expressing their concerns about efforts to achieve a “closed-door unanimity.”
Similarly, in Dehliz Kalan village of the Malerkotla district, former SAD Sarpanch Ajmal Khan and his supporters initiated a campaign for unanimous support for the sarpanch election. Hazi Shagir Mohd, a close ally of Congress MP Amar Singh Boparai, was initially celebrated as the “unanimously elected sarpanch.” However, just hours later, Aam Aadmi Party leaders announced their own candidate, lambardar Akbar Khan.
In Chhanna village, meetings among senior members of various organizations were held to discuss the upcoming panchayat elections, resulting in Sukhwinder Singh Samra being chosen as the unanimous nominee for the sarpanch position. Samra remarked, “While I feel fortunate to be shortlisted as a unanimous nominee for my village’s sarpanch post, I recognize that many challenges remain. We will only celebrate this achievement after the electoral process is complete for the panch positions as well.”
According to regional election officials, a candidate for sarpanch or panch will be considered unanimously elected only if no other nominations are received by 3 PM on October 4. Even in cases of a single nomination, the candidate’s eligibility will be confirmed after the scrutiny of their application.
Harbans Singh, SDM of Malerkotla and Ahmedgarh, stated, “We must adhere to the complete electoral procedure as outlined by the State Election Commission and wait for nominations until 3 PM on October 4.”
