Ordinance to usher in reforms in local body polls promulgated

An ordinance to usher in reforms in the elections to local bodies by essentially seeking to check the influence of money and liquor was on Thursday promulgated by Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswa Bhusan Harichandan.

The AP Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020, provides for disqualification of those found guilty of distributing liquor and cash in rural local bodies election.

Besides, they could face a jail term of three years.

The state cabinet, at its meeting on February 12, cleared the amendments and accordingly the Governor issued the Ordinance amending the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act.

Duration of campaigning has also been restricted to five days and the poll process would be completed in 13 days from the day of notification.

The amendment also makes it mandatory for a (panchayat) sarpanch to reside in the same village.

Elections to Panchayat Raj institutions and urban local bodies are due in the state.

An ongoing litigation in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, over reservation to backward classes has held up the poll process for now.

The state government is, however, said to be keen on ending the litigation quickly and conducting the elections by March.