Uttarakhand Municipal Elections:The process of reservation in wards for the upcoming municipal elections in Uttarakhand has sparked numerous objections from residents. On Sunday, officials held hearings to address these concerns under the chairmanship of the District Magistrate. The most objections were reported from the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, followed by Rishikesh, Doiwala, Vikasnagar, and other regions.
Uttarakhand Municipal Elections:Major Concerns from Dehradun
From the 100 wards of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, 253 objections were filed. Among them, Daya Ram from Ward-86 raised concerns about incorrect population allocation for Scheduled Tribes (STs), which altered the reservation criteria in his ward. Similarly, Anurag from Ward Malasi argued against the ward being left unreserved despite having over 11.23% Scheduled Caste (SC) voters.
Issues in Rishikesh and Other Regions
In Rishikesh, 18 objections were filed, with Chandresh Yadav questioning why Ward-1 remained reserved for women despite being reserved in 2018. He argued for rotation-based reservation as per government rules.
In Herbertpur, nine objections were raised, and five residents appeared for hearings to address concerns over OBC and unreserved seats.
Concerns from Mussoorie
Mussoorie received 11 objections, with some citing a lack of rotation in reservations. Residents noted that certain seats have remained reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) or women for multiple terms, deviating from standard rules.
Objections in Selakui
Selakui saw 25 objections, with individuals like Anis Ahmed contesting reservations for OBC women in areas with minimal OBC populations. Others emphasized the need for accurate population data to determine reservation patterns.
Officials’ Response
Authorities explained the rules and rationale behind reservations, emphasizing fairness and adherence to guidelines. They assured all participants of a detailed review of their objections to ensure a transparent process.
Conclusion :Objections Over Ward Reservations
The hearings underscored widespread discontent with the reservation process. Residents demand adherence to rotation policies and accurate representation, highlighting the need for more meticulous planning in future elections.
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