“The State Election Commission is playing an effective role in the Panchayat elections in rural India”. Comment.

 In order to conduct the elections for the local bodies including the Panchayati Raj Institutions, the State Election Commission (SEC) in each state has been constituted to assure free and fair elections. For this purpose, the Commission is required to undertake a large number of functions and related activities. For all these functions, the authority is vested in the SEC under Article 243K- under which it has been empowered with superintendence, direction and control of elections of local bodies. The following functions are being undertaken in most of the states:

i) Preparation of Electoral Rolls: For every Panchayat and Municipality there is an electoral roll, which is prepared under the superintendence, direction and control of the SEC. The electoral roll for each constituency is prepared in the prescribed manner, and comes into force in accordance with the rules made under the Act. The Electoral Rolls for every Constituency is revised:

a) before every general election; and

b) before every bye-election to fill a casual vacancy

ii) Appointment of Dates for Nominations, etc.: As soon as the notification calling upon a constituency to elect a member is issued, the SEC appoints:

a) The last date for making nominations, which is the seventh day after the date of publication of the first-mentioned notification and in case of public holiday, the next succeeding day, that is, not a public holiday;

b) The date for the scrutiny of nominations for election;

c) The last date for the withdrawal of candidature by the candidate;

d) The date when a poll has to be taken; and

The last date, before which the election is to be completed.

iii) Public Notice of Election: On the issue of a notification, the Returning Officer gives public notice of the intended election, inviting nominations of candidates for election and specifying the place at which the nomination papers will be delivered.

iv) Nomination of Candidates for Election: Any citizen may be nominated as a candidate for election to fill a seat, if s/he is qualified.

v) Publication of List of Contesting Candidates: After, the expiry of the period within which candidatures are withdrawn, the Returning Officer prepares and publishes a list of contesting candidates, the list of validly nominated candidates; and not withdrawn their candidatures within the laid period. The list contains the names in alphabetical order and the addresses of the contesting candidates, as given in the nomination papers, which were together with other particulars.

vi) Fixing Time for Poll: The SEC fixes the hours during which the poll will be conducted, and the fixed hours are published. The period allotted for polling at an election cannot be less than eight hours a day.

vii) Adjournment of Poll in Emergencies: If the proceedings at any polling station are interrupted or obstructed, the Presiding Officer may announce an adjournment of the poll under his/her jurisdiction.

viii) Counting of Votes: After every election of Panchayat or Municipality, votes are counted under the supervision and direction of the Returning Officer.

There is also a provision for an Election Tribunal, which may provide quick relief in case of any election dispute.

In any election, a number of problems are generally reported, which may range from poor administrative arrangements, lack of awareness among the people, or a few corrupt practices. Some of the corrupt practices, generally reported, are: influencing the voters through various means, booth capturing, bribery, promotion of false promises, making illegal statements, creating feelings of hatred or enmity, appeal by the candidate to vote against some candidate or asking the voters to refrain from voting, publications of false statements for the furtherance of election prospects of the candidate or against other candidates, hiring or procuring of vehicles by a candidate or his agent to provide free conveyance to the voters and so on. The Election Commissions and the concerned election officials have the duty to check such corrupt practices in order to conduct free and fair elections.

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