The Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) has officially postponed the election process for members of the Mohali panchayat samiti and zila parishad until fresh zonal reorganisation is completed. This decision comes following recommendations from both the rural development and panchayats department and the Mohali deputy commissioner.
Election Schedule Changes
While the Mohali panchayat elections face postponement, the commission clarified that elections for three other areas will proceed according to the original schedule. The election to elect members of Dera Bassi panchayat samiti, Kharar panchayat samiti, and Majri panchayat samiti will continue as planned, ensuring democratic processes continue uninterrupted in these regions.
Reason Behind the Postponement
The need for postponement stems from significant boundary changes affecting the Mohali panchayat area. The department of rural development and panchayats notified the State Election Commission about a crucial development - the merger of 15 villages adjoining the municipal corporation into MC, Mohali boundaries.
This merger followed an official notification dated 28 November issued by the department of local government. As a result, 15 gram panchayats of panchayat samiti, Mohali, have been excluded from the jurisdiction of the concerned panchayat samiti and zila parishad Mohali area.
Administrative Reorganisation Required
The boundary changes have created a substantial administrative shift that necessitates fresh reorganisation. The significant alteration in boundaries of both panchayat samiti, Mohali and the zila parishad area requires the rural development and panchayats department to undertake comprehensive reorganisation work before elections can proceed fairly and representatively.
The department has confirmed it will conduct this fresh reorganisation exercise to accommodate the new territorial reality created by the merger of the 15 villages into the municipal corporation. Once this administrative process is complete, the State Election Commission will announce new dates for the Mohali panchayat samiti and zila parishad elections.
