Patna: Preparations for the upcoming Panchayat elections in Bihar have gained momentum, with the State Election Commission directing district administrations to correct, verify and upload revised delimitation data on its portal.
The data, initially prepared by the Panchayati Raj Department, was found to require corrections during the Commission’s scrutiny. District administrations were subsequently instructed to re-examine the figures and make necessary changes.
District Magistrates Responsible for Verification
District Magistrates have been entrusted with verifying the revised delimitation data and uploading it to the Commission’s portal. To ensure the authenticity of the information, every upload will require the digital signature of the concerned District Magistrate.
Officials have been directed to cross-check population figures at the revenue-village level, along with the current status and boundaries of Panchayats and blocks, before submitting the data.
Revised Data to Be Uploaded
The corrected data is scheduled to be uploaded to the State Election Commission’s portal on Wednesday. District administrations are carrying out detailed verification before uploading the information.
The exercise includes reconciling population figures and geographical details to ensure that discrepancies do not affect the subsequent stages of delimitation.
2011 Census to Form the Basis
The Panchayat delimitation exercise is being conducted on the basis of the 2011 Census. Along with population data, the current geographical position of revenue villages and Panchayats is being considered.
Officials have also been instructed to refer to historical records, including district gazettes and documents relating to the 1984-85 delimitation exercise based on the 1981 Census.
Panchayat and Ward Boundaries May Change
The revised delimitation could lead to changes in the boundaries of several Panchayats and wards. However, the final extent of these changes will become clear only after the complete verification process and approval by the State Election Commission.
The Commission’s scrutiny of the revised data will determine the next stage of the delimitation exercise.
Finalisation of Panchayat and ward boundaries is a crucial step before the electoral process can move forward. Accurate population figures and verified geographical boundaries will form the basis for determining the structure of Panchayats and wards.
Once the revised data is uploaded and approved, the State Election Commission is expected to proceed with the subsequent stages of the delimitation process, bringing Bihar’s Panchayat election preparations a step closer.
