2 district panchayats, 75 municipalities in Gujarat to go to polls later this year

Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has begun preparations to conduct elections for two district panchayats in Banaskantha and Kheda, as well as for about 75 municipalities. These elections have been delayed for over a year and a half as the government considered the Election Commission’s recommendations on OBC reservations.

It is learned that the urban development department and the panchayats department are working on rearranging the seats to include a 27% OBC reservation. A notification is likely to be issued in the next few days, with the government planning to complete the elections for the two district panchayats and 75 municipalities before Diwali, incorporating the 27% OBC reservation.

In August last year, the Gujarat government accepted the Justice K. S. Jhaveri Commission’s proposal and announced a 27% reservation for OBCs in all local bodies, up from the previous 10%. This 27% reservation will apply to all levels of local bodies, including municipal corporations, municipalities, gram panchayats, taluka panchayats, and district panchayats. However, this increased reservation will not apply in areas covered by the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, where the scheduled tribe (ST) population exceeds 50%. In those regions, OBC candidates will continue to receive a 10% reservation.