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In India, the Panchayat Head, also known as the Sarpanch or Pradhan, is elected directly by the residents of a village or group of villages forming a Gram Panchayat. This election is conducted through a democratic voting process as part of the Panchayati Raj system, which is a three-tier structure of local self-government in rural areas.
Key Points:
Level: Gram Panchayat (village level)
Position: Sarpanch (Panchayat Head)
Election Type: Direct election
Voters: Registered adult citizens (18+ years) of the village
Frequency: Every 5 years (or as per State Election Commission schedule)
Table: Panchayat Election Structure in India
| Level | Body | Head (Title) | Elected By |
| Village Level | Gram Panchayat | Sarpanch / Pradhan | Directly elected by village voters |
| Intermediate Level | Panchayat Samiti | Chairperson | Elected by members of Panchayat Samiti |
| District Level | Zila Parishad | President | Elected by members of Zila Parishad |
How is the Panchayat Head Elected?
Nomination: Eligible candidates file nomination papers.
Campaigning: Candidates campaign in the village, seeking support.
Voting: Eligible voters cast their votes using secret ballots or Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Counting & Result: Votes are counted, and the candidate with the highest votes becomes the Sarpanch
Eligibility to Contest for Sarpanch
A person can contest the Panchayat Head election if they:
Fulfill other criteria as per State Panchayati Raj Act, such as minimum education (varies by state), no criminal record, etc.
Are an Indian citizen
Are at least 21 years old
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