The two-phase vote is due to the precautions that were taken during the coronavirus pandemic.
Bangalore:
Today is the second phase of voting for the Karnataka gram panchayat. More than 5,700 of a total of 6,004 grams of panchayat in all the districts of the state will vote in two phases: the first phase was on Tuesday. The count and the results will be on December 30th.
The two-phase voting stems from the precautions that were taken during the coronavirus pandemic, which requires voters to maintain social distancing and limits the number of voters per booth.
Almost three crore voters are eligible to vote for more than 92,000 grams of panchayat. A total of 2,709 panchayats out of 109 will decide the fate of more than a lakh of candidates vying for nearly 40,000 seats in the second phase.
A total of 3,697 candidates have already been elected unopposed, according to officials.
The election takes place in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, and those who have tested positive or who have not had primary / secondary contacts can vote in the last hour of voting.
Panchayat polls are not officially contested along party lines and party symbols are not used, but most candidates have party backing. The three main parties in the state – the ruling BJP, Congress and the Secular Janata Dal are eager to assert their dominance in these grassroots elections.
The BJP had previously said that its goal is to come to power at all levels of government. Only then, the party had said, will it be able to ensure that the various plans launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi reach the citizens.
From Panchayath to Parliament, the BJP aims to come to power at all levels of government.
By achieving this goal, better PM delivery can be ensured @Narendra Modi Government development schemes, initiatives and works for citizens.#PanchayatToParntaciónBJP
– BJP Karnataka (@ BJP4Karnataka) December 22, 2020
More than 4,000 members have already been elected unopposed in the first phase, but given the high number, the Electoral Commission will confirm that there was nothing illegal about this, such as undue pressure or the payment of seats. There have been suspicions that many seats are being ‘auctioned’ to the highest bidder and other potential candidates withdraw their nominations.
Janata Dal Secular HD leader Kumaraswamy has alleged that seats are selling for as high as Rs 1 crore in this election. “In the gram panchayat elections, various villages are demanding money. Whatever the problem in their village: repair of temples, roads, personal affairs. They are demanding money from the candidates. If the candidates give, they say we can elect them unopposed. That is Seat auction: 25 lakhs, 30 lakhs, even one crore. I am surprised that the electoral commission does not take it seriously, “Kumaraswamy said.
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