Power Of Democracy: Villagers Make Candidates Write Examinations Before Panchayat Polls

Sundargarh: In an incident that is surely going to raise your eyebrows and demonstrate the power of democracy, villagers of Malupada village in Kutra Panchayat in Sundargarh district have made the contesting Sarapancha Candidates to write an examination in order to get votes. What is more interesting in the episode is the fact that eight of the contestants agreed to the villagers’ demands and wrote the examinations. The questions were set by the villagers.

The eight Sarapancha Candidates were on a routine campaign to the village but they were asked by the villagers to prove their capability by writing the written examination. The results will be anaysed and the villagers will decide to whom they will vote and who is best suited for becoming the Sarapancha. Three of the candidates who wrote the examination passed the villagers’ test.

Some of the questions that were put up for the candidates included generalized enquiries such as introducing themselves and specific questions such as “Write five goals as a Sarapancha contesting candidate”. They also asked the candidates “ What are their goals for the Panchayat for the next five years if they are elected as Sarapanchas.”

The candidates had also to answer the questions such as the welfare activities they have done in their area. Basic information regarding the Panchayat like number of villages, number of people living was also asked. The question paper also wanted the candidates to rate the performance of the previous Sarapancha.