Election campaign in Raj Samadhiyala village of Rajkot district in Gujarat is ban and a fine of Rs 51 locals to be fined for not voting
By Lokmat English Desk | Published: November 23, 2022 04:46 PM2022-11-23T16:46:58+5:302022-11-23T16:46:58+5:30
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With the Gujarat assembly elections round the corner, the entire state is engulfed in election fever, the residents of Raj Samadhiyala village in Rajkot district are free from these political dramas as they have barred entry of political parties and campaigning in the village because they think that allowing candidates to campaign would be detrimental to the region.
No political party can enter the vilage as they have been banned to campaign.
Raj Samadhiyala village which is 20 km away from Rajkot, not only banned political campaigning but it also imposes a fine of Rs 51 on those who do not come out to vote, in order to ensure maximum participation at the time of elections.
Villagers are bound by several rules and regulations framed by the Village Development Committee (VDC) and breaking any of these invokes monetary fine – one of which is not casting vote during elections.
The village has been recording close to 100 per cent voting percentage and whosoever deliberately abstain from voting attracts a fine of Rs 51. The Sarpanch of the village is also elected by consensus.
The Sarpanch of the village says that with this decision almost 100 per cent of voting takes place here.
A small village having a popuation of 1700 people has formed a committee. A few days before the polling, the members of the committee convene a meeting of the villagers and if someone is unable to vote then a reason has to be given to the committee.
“The rule of not allowing political parties to campaign in the village exists since 1983. No party is allowed to campaign here. The political parties are also aware of this belief that if they campaign in Raj Samadhiyala village they will be harming their prospects. It is compulsory for all the people of our village to vote otherwise Rs 51 fine is imposed on them. If someone cannot vote for any reason, they will have to take permission,” said the Sarpanch. The village has almost every modern amenity like internet connection through Wi-Fi, CCTV cameras, RO plant for providing potable water, and so on, making life convenient for the villagers.A local said that around 995 voters are there in the village and people here vote as per their wishes.Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held in Gujarat from 1 to 5 December 2022 in two phases, to elect 182 members of 15th Gujarat Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on 8 December 2022. The Bharatiya Janata Party, which is ruling the state since 1998, is challenged by the opposition Indian National Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party.
