We Were "Forced To Conduct Panchayat Polls Owing To Allahabad HC Order" : UP Govt

Lucknow, April 26 (TNA) Amid growing criticism for going ahead with the Panchayat elections in the state, the UP government has clarified that it was "forced to conduct them". In a communique, the government said that "Allahabad High Court’s order compelled the state government to conduct the elections".

An official said that contrary to the "misinformation campaign against the Yogi government, the decision to conduct the elections of the Gram Panchayats stemmed from the directions of the Allahabad High Court to the Government of the State of Uttar Pradesh. "

It was in compliance with the High Court's order that the UP government had to go through Panchayat polls despite Covid scare, an official spokesman said. It is noteworthy that these elections were due in December 2020 itself.

For the reason that of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the reorganization and delimitation of Panchayats was delayed. The writ petitions and subsequent decision of the High Court compelled the state government to hold the election.

In compliance , the stat government initiated the process of reservation and allotment by March 15, 2021.

The state government did not want to conduct panchayat elections in 2021, but it was not possible to disobey the orders of the High Court. The Allahabad High Court had asked the Uttar Pradesh government to complete the Direct Elections process of the Panchayats by May 10, 2021. The state Government started the process timely.

The four-phase panchayat elections in the state started from April 15 and counting of votes and declaration of result will take place on May 2. Voting for the third phase of the panchayat elections in Uttar Pradesh is being held today with more than 3.52 lakh candidates in the fray in over 2.14 lakh seats across 20 districts of the state.