Nagpur: There are enough indications that the municipal corporation elections in the State will be held on the basis of Panel system only and not on the basis of ward system, it was learnt. Sources revealed that the Election Commission has begun preparations for the forthcoming municipal corporation elections in the State. However, it is yet not clear as to how many wards will constitute a Prabhag.
As part of the preparations, the Election Commission has sent letters to the divisional commissioners of Konkan, Pune, Amravati and Aurangabad suggesting to be a part of the video conferencing with a view to take a review of the election process in these commissionerates. The letters has been sent on August 7 to the above mentioned divisional commissioners by the additional secretary of the Election Commission of India N J Wagde. Through the video conferencing, a review of elections to be held in 2016-17 will be taken.
It may be noted here that in 2016-17 elections to 10 municipal corporations, 195 municipal councils and panchayats, 26 zilla parishads and 297 panchayat samitis are scheduled. The discussion will be held through video conferencing on the first Monday of every month, it was learnt. The first video conferencing will be held on August 12 at 11 am. Apart from the divisional commissioners, the meeting will also be attended by deputy commissioners looking in to the working of the zilla parishad, panchayat samitis and na4gar parishads.
Mahaonline software to decide Panel system
The constitution of Panel of those local bodies whose term is ending between December 2016 and March 2017 will be done on the basis of software developed by mahaonline.
Ward system favourable to independents
In the recently concluded elections to the Gondia and Bhandara municipal councils, the Bharatiya Janata Party suffered major losses. This has jolted the BJP. Hence, the decision to conduct elections on the basis of ward system will be done away with all probability.
The senior BJP leaders are in favour of conducting elections on the basis of Panel system which is favourable to BJP.
They have conveyed their feelings regarding this to the chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. Independents rule the roost in the elections held on the basis of ward system, it was found.
However, if the elections are held on the basis of Panel system, then many hoping to be in the fray may be dejected.
Rajeev Ranjan Kushwaha (rajeev.nagpurtoday@gmail.com)
