The elections for 674 cooperative societies in Uttarakhand, scheduled for December 16-17, are expected to be postponed once again. The delay is attributed to the lack of amendments in the election rules and an ongoing case in the High Court regarding 33% reservation for women. The Cooperative Election Authority had previously proposed granting voting rights to members who had not engaged in transactions for the past three years, but this proposal is still awaiting government approval.
Key Issues Leading to Postponement
- High Court Case on Women’s Reservation: The legality of 33% reservation for women in cooperative societies is under judicial review.
- Voting Rights for Inactive Members: The Cooperative Election Authority suggested changes to allow around 33,000 women and 78,000 men to vote, even if they haven’t engaged in recent transactions.
Official Statements and Next Steps
According to Dilip Jawalkar, Secretary of Cooperation, the government has permitted the Cooperative Election Authority to release a revised election schedule. The High Court is set to hear the matter soon, which could further impact the timeline.
The election process, which involves electing representatives at the society, district, and state levels, has already been delayed several times due to legal and administrative hurdles. The final decision on the schedule is now contingent on the outcome of the ongoing court proceedings.
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