Page 14 - MGMG July to December 2019 Special Issue

Panchayat Polls: IEC Campaign for Panchayat Elections Amendments
in J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989

SITUATION BEFORE THE INITIATIVE:

Although the Panchayat polls were overdue in 2016 after the Halqa Panchayats elected in 2011
completed their tenure of 5 years, the elections were not held until 2018 because of threat perceptions,
law and order apprehensions, political will and other reasons.

No efforts were made to create a conducive atmosphere for holding of Panchayat polls and installing
Local Self Government at grassroots level in the state. There was general apathy towards promoting
democracy at grassroots level. The local populace had no role in planning, execution and monitoring of
development works that would take place in their Panchyats. The locals had to move from pillar to post
for grievance redressal. The youth felt alienated, marginalised and disenchanted.

Additionally, central funds earmarked exclusively for Panchayat development under 14th Finance
Commission remained unutilized and unspent in the absence of elected Panchayat bodies.

CHALLENGES FACED:
The J&K Panchayat election, 2018 were fraught with following challenges before the Department and
the Government:-

In light of boycott of Municipal elections called by all the leading political parties of the State, there was
an apprehension that the Panchayat Elections will be a failure. The non-participation of public also
loomed large partly because of mild response to Panchayat elections held in 2011 and mainly after
militants threatened the candidates and voters with dire consequences. The apprehension of violence was
also quite palpable given that the last Panchayat election saw the killings of various candidates and
voters.

Lack of educated leaders for Panchayati Raj was also a major area of concern. In the last election,
majority of the candidates that emerged victorious were uneducated and illiterate which hampered the
efficient implementation of welfare schemes at grassroots level. Their lack of understanding of

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