Sundergarh: Ahead of panchayat elections, villagers of Sundergarh district held written exam for eight candidates to win their trust.
Villagers of Malupada in Sundargarh’s Kutra gram panchayat (GP) adopted an unique method and conducted a written test for their sarpanch candidates to choose the best among them.
Questions asked to the candidates are
- What are the five primary objectives of contesting elections?
- If elected sarpanch, what would be the goals for the next five years?
- If you entered politics for social service, name five of your earlier social works?
- Will you solve the problems of people after winning election?
- How would your dream panchayat be?
- What is the population and number of wards in the panchayat?
- Who are the sarpanches who held office previously?
The villagers were satisfied with three candidates answers of the eight candidates. The villagers decided to conduct this method as they were not satisfied over the frequent visits of sarpanch candidates during the election time.
Kutra panchayat has 5500 voters in 16 wards. Malupada and Ramanpada together make ward number 8, which has total 300 voters.
Sarpanch candidate Lalita Barua said, I was the sarpanch of Kutra panchayat from 2007 till 2021. The voters conducted a written test for all the sarpanch candidates. We had no idea about the exam, The question that was asked, if we become the sarpanch, then how can we serve the people of the society,
One day, we all villagers had sat together and decided to conduct such a test. Accordingly, we have prepared the questions,Till now we have not decided who will win. The residents of Malupada are annoyed at the lack of facilities in the village. The condition of roads is bad. There are not enough teachers in the local college, said Voter Rashmi Ekka.
Kalinga AI