GO on finalising reservation framework for gram panchayat elections released

Formally setting in motion the process of local body elections, the Government Order (GO) detailing the reservation guidelines for the upcoming gram panchayat elections, for sarpanch and ward member positions across the State, has been released.

According to the GO issued on Saturday, the reservation framework has been prepared in accordance with constitutional limits, with the government reiterating that the total reservations cannot exceed 50%. Officials stated that the guidelines were formulated to ensure transparency, legal compliance, and uniformity across districts when determining reserved categories for local body posts.

A key feature of the new guidelines is the use of caste census data for determining reservations for several categories. For ward members, the reservations for SC, ST and BC categories will be allocated strictly on the basis of caste census figures available with the government.

For sarpanch posts, BC reservations will also be decided using caste census data. For SC and ST reservations, however, it will be based on the 2011 Census population statistics, as mandated in earlier statutory provisions.

Senior officials explained that this dual data-source approach was designed to ensure accuracy and legal defensibility, especially in light of Supreme Court guidelines governing Backward Class reservations.

The government has entrusted different levels of the administrative machinery with the actual implementation of the reservation matrix. Revenue Divisional Officers (RDOs) will finalise sarpanch reservations in their respective jurisdictions. Mandal Parishad Development Officers (MPDOs) will determine ward member reservations for all gram panchayats under their mandals.

To ensure fairness and eliminate scope for manipulation, the GO states that women’s reservations will be allotted through a lottery method. The draw of lots will be held in the presence of representatives of recognised political parties, ensuring transparency and cross-verification. The system will apply to seats reserved for women across all categories, including General (Women), SC (Women), ST (Women), and BC (Women).

Officials have been instructed to complete the process in a time-bound manner to facilitate the State Election Commission’s schedule for polling. The State Election Commission is expected to announce further modalities for the elections once the reservation process is completed.