Deputy Chief Minister Arun Saw, while talking to journalists at Raipur residence office today, said that, Panchayat and urban body elections will be held simultaneously in the state. Votes will be cast with ballot paper in both the elections. The State Election Commission has made preparations for this.

Saw said that the government had started preparations for the Panchayat and Urban Body elections long ago. This time a lot of things have happened. The reservation system was changed in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court. Backward Class Commission was formed and reservation is being done on the basis of its report. Similarly, it has been decided to elect the Mayor and Chairman in the bodies through direct system. Meanwhile, many new bodies have been formed. Nagar Panchayats have been made Nagar Palika. It took a lot of time to prepare for all this.

Deputy CM Saw said that, reservation for the post of Chairman and Mayor will be determined in the urban bodies by January 7. He said that the government is committed to conduct elections as soon as possible. As soon as the process of reservation is over, its information will be sent to the Election Commission and after that they will announce the election schedule.

Saav said that earlier the voter list was prepared once a year. Now it has been decided to prepare the list every three months so that new voters can easily get their names added. He said that the board exams are starting from March. It is hoped that all the elections will be conducted before the board exams.