The Telangana State Election Commission has taken a serious note of the reports on auctioning of the posts of sarpanches and ward members as also the alleged efforts being made to ensure unanimous elections to gram panchayats in the forthcoming elections slated for January 21, 25 and 30.
The TSEC said auctioning of the posts of sarpanches and ward members was a corrupt practice under Section 211(1) of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act and also a criminal offence under Section 171-B and 171-E of the Indian Penal Code. The practice would subvert the election process by denying freedom of choice to voters besides excluding many potential candidates from the contest on financial grounds.
‘Initiate prosecution’
The Commission had accordingly directed the district collectors and district election authorities to open special cell in their respective jurisdiction to scan the complaints received about the alleged incidents of auctioning of the posts and conduct thorough inquiry. Prompt action including prosecution should be initiated against the persons involved in auctioning of the posts.
“The returning officers concerned shall declare the results in case of unanimous election to the post of sarpanch only after obtaining the clearance from the general observer concerned,” TSEC Secretary M. Ashok Kumar said. The general observers on their part should satisfy themselves on the voluntary nature of the unanimous election before issuing clearance. In cases where auctioning or use of undue influence was evidenced, they should be reported to the TSEC for further instructions, Mr. Ashok Kumar said in a notification.
