Rajasthan to hold urban local body elections in two phases from September 9

The State Election Commission has scheduled voting for all 309 urban local bodies across Rajasthan in two phases on September 9 and 11, with results to be declared on September 14.

State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh announced on Wednesday that the nomination process will begin with the issuance of notification on August 27. General meetings of Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and municipalities are scheduled for September 22, during which elections for deputy mayors, deputy chairpersons and municipal vice-chairpersons will be conducted.

The model code of conduct came into force in all 309 urban local bodies with the declaration of elections. Elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions will be held after the local body polls are completed, as the Rajasthan High Court has directed the State government to complete the polls by November.

Congress mobilizes youth ahead of polls

The Opposition Congress launched a panchayat task force campaign in preparation for the local body and Panchayati Raj elections, which will reflect the voters' mood in the third year of the Bharatiya Janata Party government. The task force is expected to identify potential candidates for the polls.

The initiative was launched in the presence of Indian Youth Congress national general secretary Shesh Narayan Ojha, Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasra, and Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully.

Among the 1.44 crore voters in the local body areas, 25.40% are in the age group of 26 to 35 years and 14.7% in 18 to 25 years. The Congress intends to influence these sections of voters by encouraging them to actively participate in grassroots politics and work with the party to ensure betterment of local communities.

Dotasra said the party would make an attempt to give 50% of the tickets to young candidates. "The task force will identify potential candidates and refer their names to the PCC. The distribution of ticket will be done as per the party's established selection process," he said.

Ojha said the organisation would identify young people below the age of 39 who were not currently associated with the Congress but had "faith in the constitutional values". Such individuals will be provided training and support to prepare them for contesting elections.

The national coordinators of Indian Youth Congress will visit blocks and village panchayats across the State as part of the initiative to reach out to young aspirants who are willing to contest elections. The youth would be encouraged to bring their concerns to senior party leaders and get involved in creating political solutions, Ojha said.

Source: The Hindu