Elections in Gadchiroli village panchayats to be held in Oct

The posts of as many as 400 members in the village panchayats are lying vacant now, as none of the candidates came forward because of the Naxal threat, district Collector in-charge Sanjay Dhiwre said.

The elections would now be held in October along with those of 41 other village panchayats in Gadchiroli, which are due because of the expiry of their term by that time, authorities in the district Election office here said.

The issue of the elections not being held, as scheduled on June 24, has already been intimated to the State Election Commission and its reply is awaited, officials said.

It is being perceived as a big jolt to the democratic and electoral process in the district, marred by Naxal activities, they said.

More than 90 elected public representatives and office bearers of major political parties in the district have resigned from their posts so far owing to Maoists threat. Some of the leaders have even preferred to remain away from their respective homes due to the threat.