As the dates for the Panchayat elections have been announced, the Nainital district administration has intensified preparations. However, conducting elections during the monsoon season presents a significant challenge. Polling in 475 gram panchayats across the district will take place in two phases, with the remote blocks of Okhalkanda and Betalghat expected to be the toughest for officials.
Each of these blocks has 75 gram panchayats, many of which are 2 to 4 kilometers away from the nearest motorable road. This means polling teams will need to trek on foot with all the election material, especially if it rains. Landslides caused by heavy rainfall may also block roads, further complicating access.
Polling in the blocks of Okhalkanda, Betalghat, Ramgarh, and Dhari is scheduled for July 24. Even in parts of Dhari, officials will have to walk long distances to reach the polling stations.
ADM Vivek Rai stated that despite the rains, all arrangements are being made to ensure smooth elections. Polling teams deployed to remote villages will be provided with waterproof gear and tents. In addition, efforts will be made to persuade voters who tend to skip elections to participate.
Voter Turnout Another Major Challenge
The State Election Commission is organizing this election in July for the first time. In the last Panchayat elections in 2019, Nainital district recorded a 75.06% voter turnout. With rains this time, increasing voter participation will be a major hurdle. In 2019, Bhimtal reported 80.38%, Ramnagar 76.37%, Haldwani 76.25%, Kotabagh 77.75%, Dhari 74.56%, Ramgarh 71.55%, Betalghat 65.52%, and Okhalkanda 73.24% turnout.
Training for Election Officials Underway
A training session was held at the Vikas Bhawan auditorium in Bhimtal for election and assistant election officers. Chief Development Officer and Panchayat Election Officer Anamika emphasized strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct. Officials were instructed to immediately report any election-related concerns to the nodal officers or control room.
DDO Gopal Goswami and District Basic Education Officer Harsh Bahadur Chand explained the color-coded ballot papers to be used: white for gram panchayat members, green for gram pradhan, blue for block development members, and pink for district panchayat members. They also reiterated that candidates with more than two children after July 25, 2019, or those receiving honorariums under state or central schemes, are ineligible to contest.
Training for zonal and sector magistrates will be held on July 2 at ETC Bagjhala, Haldwani. All block development officers and election-related personnel are expected to attend.
