Despite clear provisions in the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act, 2016, urban voters have reportedly been included in panchayat voter lists, sparking a major controversy. Critics are now demanding an investigation into how voters from municipal areas—who are legally ineligible—have been added to rural electoral rolls.
As per Section 9(6) of the Act, no person is permitted to be listed in more than one territorial constituency. Section 9(7) further states that if a person is already registered in a municipal body’s voter list, their inclusion in a panchayat list is valid only after removal from the earlier list. However, several individuals appear to have been enrolled in both, violating the law.
Adding to the confusion, the State Election Commission had earlier issued a circular stating that anyone whose name is listed in a gram panchayat voter roll is eligible to vote and contest elections under Section 9(13). Similar provisions exist under Section 54(3) for block panchayats and Section 91(3) for district panchayats.
This circular has now come under judicial scrutiny, with the Uttarakhand High Court putting a stay on it. The court, however, did not halt the overall election process—raising a fresh dilemma over candidates who have already filed nominations based on these controversial entries.
With the nomination, scrutiny, and withdrawal processes already completed, the fate of candidates listed in both urban and rural rolls remains uncertain. State Election Commission Secretary Rahul Goyal has said the commission will issue further guidance once the High Court’s full order is received.
