JODHPUR: In a major relief to the exercise of panchayat election and lotteries for the reserved categories on the posts of ward panch, sarpanch, member panchayat samiti, member zila parishad and pradhan, the Rajasthan High Court here on Wednesday dismissed all applications challenging the process.
With all the petitions dismissed, the state government and the state election commission would now be able to proceed with their respective exercises for the fourth phase of panchayat elections as directed by the Supreme Court in an earlier order. The apex court had directed that the elections be held in second half of April.
The single bench of justice Arun Bhansali stated, “Order passed by the State Election Commission dated 9/1/2020 and order passed by the state dated 24/1/2020 and subsequent orders thereto do no call for any interference.” The court rejected the individual challenges raised against the draw of lotteries for lack of any substance.
Petitioners Vijay Singh and others challenged the initiation of lottery schedule in the state, a 3-day exercise started from January 31, ordered by the government on January 24, for the purpose of determination of reservation of various posts ahead of the panchayat election. The petition stated, “The election process initiated by the Election Commission pursuant to the notification dated December 26, 2019 is still in progress and has only been deferred by order dated January 9, 2020. Since no specific order has been passed by the EC in this regard, the move of the government for drawing of lottery for purpose of reservation etc. is premature and the same cannot be countenanced.”
Petitioner’s counsel Moti Singh argued in the court that the said order with pending election process, which has only been deferred, was interference in the process, hence could not be permitted.
With all the petitions dismissed, the state government and the state election commission would now be able to proceed with their respective exercises for the fourth phase of panchayat elections as directed by the Supreme Court in an earlier order. The apex court had directed that the elections be held in second half of April.
The single bench of justice Arun Bhansali stated, “Order passed by the State Election Commission dated 9/1/2020 and order passed by the state dated 24/1/2020 and subsequent orders thereto do no call for any interference.” The court rejected the individual challenges raised against the draw of lotteries for lack of any substance.
Petitioners Vijay Singh and others challenged the initiation of lottery schedule in the state, a 3-day exercise started from January 31, ordered by the government on January 24, for the purpose of determination of reservation of various posts ahead of the panchayat election. The petition stated, “The election process initiated by the Election Commission pursuant to the notification dated December 26, 2019 is still in progress and has only been deferred by order dated January 9, 2020. Since no specific order has been passed by the EC in this regard, the move of the government for drawing of lottery for purpose of reservation etc. is premature and the same cannot be countenanced.”
Petitioner’s counsel Moti Singh argued in the court that the said order with pending election process, which has only been deferred, was interference in the process, hence could not be permitted.
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