Forum for Good Governance warns against ‘unconstitutional’ unanimous polls in gram panchayats

The Hindu
The Hindu
1w ago • 11 views
The Forum for Good Governance raised concerns over unanimous elections in gram panchayats, citing coercion and unethical practices. This trend threatens democratic processes at the grassroots level.
Forum for Good Governance warns against ‘unconstitutional’ unanimous polls in gram panchayats
A What happened
On December 2, 2025, the Forum for Good Governance expressed serious concerns regarding the trend of unanimous elections in gram panchayats, which they believe are often secured through coercion and unethical practices. During a press conference in Hyderabad, members of the Forum highlighted how political parties have increasingly influenced these elections, undermining the principles of local self-governance. They pointed out that the current election process, which involves three phases with results declared simultaneously, could distort voting patterns and outcomes. Former IAS officer R.V. Chandravadan criticized the auctioning of posts, stating it excludes disadvantaged communities. The Forum proposed resolutions to the State Election Commission, including stricter scrutiny of unopposed elections and countermanding polls if irregularities are found. They emphasized the importance of educated youth participating in local governance to foster development in their villages.
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Key insights

  • 1

    Threat to Democracy: Unanimous elections undermine democratic processes at the grassroots level.

  • 2

    Political Influence: Political parties are increasingly affecting local election outcomes.

  • 3

    Need for Reform: Proposed measures aim to ensure fair and free elections in gram panchayats.

Takeaways

The Forum for Good Governance's warnings highlight the urgent need for reforms in the gram panchayat election process to protect democracy and ensure fair representation.

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