Mail News Service
Ranchi, Apr 20 : The municipal elections in Jharkhand are facing further delays due to the vacancy of the State Election Commissioner (SEC) post. The tenure of Dr. D.K. Tiwari ended on March 24 and no new appointment has been made. Sources indicate that the appointment is likely only after the Chief Minister returns from his Europe tour in the last week of April.
The Jharkhand High Court had earlier directed the government to conduct municipal elections within four months—a deadline expiring on May 16. Given the current administrative vacuum, the government is expected to seek an extension from the court.
Elections in 13 municipal bodies have been pending since 2020 and the term of 35 more urban local bodies ended in early 2023. According to the 74th Constitutional Amendment, delays in urban body elections are seen as weakening grassroots democracy. Additionally, Jharkhand is incurring financial losses due to the delay, as the Centre has halted Finance Commission grants—estimated around Rs 1,600 crore—pending completion of elections.
The triple test procedure for implementing OBC reservations in urban polls has been completed in 23 districts, excluding Ranchi. However, without an SEC, the Election Commission’s groundwork is stalled.
“The absence of a State Election Commissioner is directly impacting pre-election preparations,” a senior official said. “We’re not receiving district-level updates or reviewing progress.”
While voter lists have been published from district headquarters, the final phase of poll preparation remains on hold until a new SEC is appointed.
