Polls for vacant village panchayat posts on July 1

Lucknow, June 13;  The State Election Commission (SEC) here on Tuesday announced the schedule of elections for the vacant posts of village heads and village and district panchayat members.

There are 4,010 gram panchayat member vacancies, 215 of gram pradhan's (village head) and 18 posts in district panchayats, according to an SEC official.

State Election Commissioner Satish Agarwal said the district magistrates would notify the process for elections on June 14, polling would take place on July 1 and the counting of votes on July 3.

The nominations will be filed between 10.00 a.m and 4.00 p.m on June 20, scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on June 22 and names can be withdrawn till 3.00 pm on June 24.

"All preparations for the polls have been completed," he added.

All district magistrates have been asked to ensure that the model code of conduct was adhered to in letter and spirit and that security arrangements were in place.

An SEC spokesman said that some village pradhans had been removed from their post after allegations were levelled against them, while some others posts fell vacant due to death of incumbents.