There is a deluge of candidates in Mysuru district for the gram panchayat poll. There is a threefold rise in the number of candidates fighting the May 29 GP poll compared to that held last time. One of the reasons for this trend is swelling up of GPs and constituencies, thanks to the reorganisation of the panchayats that were carried out prior to the elections.
Nevertheless, there are also high hopes among people in rural Mysuru to be part of the panchayat system and work for the improvement of their villages. And, this too has triggered more nominations.
According to the District Election Office here, 16,216 candidates are in the fray for 4,736 seats in 266 GPs in the district. No nominations have been filed for eight seats for various reasons, including reshuffling of the panchayat headquarters.
Compared to 2010 elections, the candidates’ strength this time is astounding. In 2010, 4,300 candidates fought from 235 GPs. After the reorganisation, the number of GPs in the district has gone up by 31. Of the 4,300 contestants in 2010, 2,527 were male and 1,773 were women.
Though the break-up of contestants and reservation of seats were being compiled as the last date for withdrawing nominations was on May 21, half the number of candidates contesting this election is women because 50 per cent of the seats are reserved for them. But, this was not the case in 2010 election.
Meanwhile, holiday has been declared on May 29 for the offices of State government, the Central government, and the State and Central government-run factories, if any, industries, educational institutions, including aided schools and colleges in the gram panchayat limits. The holiday does not however apply for emergency services. Also, the holiday does not apply in the limits of town panchayats, town municipal and city municipal councils and the city corporations, a statement from the office of Deputy Commissioner said here.
Also, in view of the election, Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha has imposed a ban on the sale of liquor from the midnight of May 27 to the midnight of May 29. The prohibition will come into effect again from the midnight of June 4 to the midnight of June 5 in view of counting of votes on June 5. The prohibition will be in force across the district irrespective of the jurisdictions and the days specified as “dry days” should be strictly complied with, restricting sale, transportation and storage of liquor, the release said.
16,216 candidates are in the fray for 4,736 seats in 266 GPs in Mysuru district
