Guwahati: In an unprecedented turn of events leading up to the Panchayat elections, the residents of No. 2 Barghola village, situated in the Khamarpara area under the Srijangram Gaon Panchayat of Bongaigaon district, find themselves in a peculiar predicament: the absence of a suitable candidate has effectively stripped them of their right to vote.
The current election cycle’s reservation policies dictated that the member seat for No. 2 Barghola be exclusively reserved for a woman belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. However, a stark reality has emerged as no woman from the SC community residing within the village meets the necessary eligibility criteria to contest the upcoming election.
While a solitary SC woman, who had settled in the village following her marriage, was briefly considered a potential contender, her aspirations were dashed when it was determined that she did not possess the requisite educational qualifications to file a valid nomination.
This unforeseen circumstance has left the 254 registered voters of No. 2 Barghola, a village predominantly inhabited by the Rajbongshi community (which does not fall under the SC category), in a state of electoral limbo. With no qualified candidate stepping forward, the member seat remains uncontested, rendering the villagers unable to participate in the democratic process.
A palpable sense of disappointment and deep concern has gripped the local populace, who now feel excluded from exercising their fundamental right to vote. Their anxieties are further compounded by the fear that the absence of representation in the Panchayat could significantly impede the implementation of crucial developmental projects and effective administrative governance within their locality.
Adding to their frustration, the villagers have raised serious questions regarding the fairness and foresight of the electoral planning process. They have pointed out the apparent disconnect between the reservation policy and the realities on the ground in their village. The residents of No. 2 Barghola are now urging the relevant authorities to thoroughly review such cases to prevent similar unintended disenfranchisement of voters in future electoral exercises.
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