To ensure smooth conduct of the upcoming three-tier Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand, the State Election Commission has carefully aligned the schedule with the Kanwar Yatra, Char Dham pilgrimage, and monsoon conditions.
According to the revised notification, voting dates have been set after the Kanwar Yatra, which takes place between 11 to 23 July, a period during which heavy pilgrim movement disrupts traffic and requires significant deployment of security and administrative personnel. Holding elections during this time could have caused a shortage of manpower for both law enforcement and poll duties, which the commission wanted to avoid.
State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar stated that due to monsoon-related challenges, elections have been divided into two phases. Areas more prone to rain damage, such as Rudraprayag and Bageshwar, will vote in the first phase, while relatively safer zones will vote in the second.
To address possible monsoon disruptions, the commission has conducted meetings with disaster management authorities and is preparing for logistical challenges, including use of helicopters where needed. District-wise disaster plans are also being developed to ensure the safe movement of polling teams and the smooth return of election materials.
