Rajasthan government has made it clear that educational qualification will not be required to contest elections for municipal bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions. Also, the process of preparing a bill has been started to remove the ban on candidates having more than two children from contesting elections.
The government gave this information in response to a written question by Congress MLA Pusaram Godara in the state assembly. Godara had asked whether the government was considering amending the provisions related to educational qualification and children of candidates in municipal elections.
The government clarified that there is no provision for educational qualification in Section 21 of the Rajasthan Municipal Act, 2009. Therefore, illiterate or less educated people will also be able to contest civic and panchayat elections. The government said that no proposal to amend this rule is currently under consideration.
The government has taken steps to amend the provision banning candidates with more than two children from contesting elections. A proposal for a bill to amend Section 24 of the Rajasthan Municipal Act, 2009 has been sent to the Law Department, which is currently under process. After its passing, candidates with three children will also be able to contest elections.
Earlier in Rajasthan, there was a provision to bar candidates with more than two children from contesting local body and panchayat elections. This rule was made keeping population control in mind. Congress MLA Pusaram Godara has welcomed this reply of the government. He says that this decision will broaden democracy and give opportunity to all sections to contest elections.
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