Unopposed Elections in Haryana Panchayati Raj Institutions: An Analysis of Fourth General Election, 2010

Abstract

The success of democracy depends upon free and fair elections. Elections serve as a means of communication between the public and government. It is a process through which leaders are selected by vote for a political office. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 marked a new era in the democratic set up of the country as it created Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as third tier of the federal set up. It gives considerable attention to the nature of elections for the three levels of panchayati raj institutions. Direct elections are specified for seats at all levels. The act provides for one additional potential avenue of representation and accountability of local government. Unopposed elections are the reflection of mature emocratic trend. So, this paper examines an analytical study of unopposed elected members of PRIs of fourth general elections held in 2010. It goes through the local governance aspects discussed in Second Administrative Reforms Commission and Second Centre-State Relations Commission. It also highlights the decision taken by the Government of Haryana for making a provision of incentives to gram panchayats regarding promotion of unopposed elections. The authors offer some suggestions for strengthening the trend of unopposed elections.