By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Jul: The State Election Commission today clarified that there is no alteration in the scheduled dates for the three-tier Panchayat elections, which will be held in two phases on 24 and 28 July 2025. Secretary of the Commission, Rahul Goyal stated that the Commission’s recent communication, issued on 20 July, pertains exclusively to the contingency arrangements for re-polling in case of disruption due to natural disasters or emergency situations. It emphatically stated that this clarification must not be misconstrued as a revision of the main polling dates.
Amid speculation and misinterpretation circulating in some quarters, the Commission has appealed to voters not to be under any misconception regarding the election schedule. To this effect, Secretary Rahul Kumar Goyal elaborated that re-polling would be carried out only in those polling stations or booths where voting cannot take place on the notified dates due to exceptional circumstances. Should such a necessity arise in Phase 1, originally set for 24 July, re-polling will be conducted on 28 July. Likewise, if any disruption occurs during Phase 2 on 28 July, re-polling will be held on 30 July. All such re-polling will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in accordance with the standard electoral timings.
Despite the declaration of alternative dates, the Commission reaffirmed that the counting of votes will take place as per the original schedule on 31 July 2025. The Secretary pointed out that the declaration of such re-polling contingencies has been a consistent and standard practice during previous election cycles, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted democratic processes even under adverse conditions.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Election Commission has already finalised preparations for the dispatch of polling parties across twelve districts, excluding Haridwar, where the panchayat polls are due to be held in two phases.
State Election Commissioner Sushil Kumar has confirmed that polling will be conducted in two phases, on 24 and 28 July as has been announced earlier. He added that provision of alternative dates of polling, has been made to counter any disruption arising from inclement weather or emergency conditions. According to a clarification issued by the Election Commission’s directive, if polling in any area is postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, re-polling will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on 28 July for the first phase and on 30 July for the second phase. It has also added that these revised dates have been communicated to all officials and personnel engaged in election duties to ensure full preparedness and compliance.
The alternative schedule has been announced in line with the provisions mentioned in the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act and associated conduct rules, which empower the Election Commission to postpone or reschedule polls if conditions are found to compromise free and fair voting.
In case of the conditions mandating rescheduling of the polling in certain places or polling booths, the District Election Officer (DMs concerned) and authorised representatives will assess affected booths and submit a comprehensive report, including proposed locations for re-polling, to the Commission by the evening of the polling day. Official notification will then be issued to residents of those constituencies. The clarification issued by the State Election Commission is significant under the circumstances when every action including rescheduling the poll may have to face legal scrutiny and any deviation from prescribed procedures in the polling or re-polling process may be subjected to judicial scrutiny.
It may be reminded here that the State Election Commission is already facing certain legal challenges regarding conduct of panchayat polls and many of its actions have been challenged through PILs recently.
