IMO News Service
Hyderabad: The elections for 6863 Panchayats and 2,17,578 wards of the local bodies in Andhra Pradesh were scheduled to be held in three phases. Interested candidates can contest these elections. The notification will be issued on 9th of July by every District Election Office. Nominations should be filed between 9th and 13th of July and the withdrawal date is 17th of July. The final list of contesting candidates will be published on 17th July.
There was a wide spread rumor and unofficial rejection BC [E] certificate holders interested to contest local body elections by Official Staff of Government as a case is pending in the AP High Court with regard to applicability of Political reservations to BC[E] category as the case BC [E] reservations pending in Supreme Court.
Hyderabad-based NGO Muslim Empowerment Movement (MEM) in a press release has asked the people be aware of rumors and exercise their rights to fight local body elections without any fear.
Aariz Mohammed, Campaign Co-ordination of MEM, has sought to warn the people and apprise them of the following points that should considered while filing the nominations for local body elections for Panchayats and Municipalities. The points to be considered are as follows:
(a.) BC reservations are applicable in local body elections. As BC [E] category is part of BC and the said Category of people were enjoying reservation subjected to the final judgment of SC they are also eligible to contest elections.
(b.) There in no Go / Order / Circular from the concerned department on barring the BC [E] category people from contesting local body elections.
(c.) AP High court also responded as same on 2nd with regard to Pil 264 filed against BC [E] reservations case. However the concerned Department of the AP Government is yet file their counter in the court.
(d.) If any election officer rejected, ask him to show any directive from the Government / Court along with a written rejection.
(e.) Candidates of Muslims communities under BC[A], BC[B], BC[E] can contest in BC reserved Panchayats and in General Panchayats also.
(f.) Women quota of 50% is applicable in all these Panchayats.
"Activists, Aspirants, Representatives of Political parties interested in Minorities should immediately meet the State Election commission / District Election in-charge and ask him to give a written clarification on this issue immediately to have fair and inclusive election to avoid hindrance amounting to confusion among the aspirants of Particular BC [E] category people. They need to address electronic and Print Media on the issue immediately and ask their counterparts at Districts and Revenue Divisions to act without delay. Reserved candidates can contest from any constituency in the state. They are not restricted to reserved constituencies only. The list of Panchayat and the details of Reservations including women reserved Panchayats should be available with Revenue Divisional Office," said Aariz Mohammed, Camaign Co-ordinator, Muslim Empowerment Movement, in a press release.