Overview The Forum for Good Governance on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 , cautioned that the growing trend of unanimous elections secured through coercion, inducements, and forced withdrawals poses a serious threat to democratic processes in Gram Panchayat polls. The organization emphasized the importance of free and fair elections at the grassroots level. Key Concerns Coercion and Inducements: Unanimous elections are increasingly secured through unethical means. Political Influence: Political parties are influencing Sarpanch elections, undermining local self-governance. Auctioning of Posts: The practice of auctioning posts excludes disadvantaged communities and is dangerous for democracy. Key Developments State Election Commission's Intervention The State Election Commission (SEC) issued a circular on November 27 aimed at curbing forced unanimous polls. The circular mandates stricter scrutiny of unopposed Gram Panchayat elections by the Special Monitoring Cell . Verification: Ensuring withdrawals and unanimous results are free from coercion, inducement, or auctioning. Action: Directs officials to withhold or countermand the election if any irregularities are detected. Forum's Proposals The Forum for Good Governance proposed two resolutions for submission to the State Election Commission : Counting: Counting all three phases of polling on December 17 with results announced on the same day. Abeyance: Keeping unopposed elections in abeyance for a week pending inquiry. Expert Opinions R.V. Chandravadan (Former IAS Officer) R.V. Chandravadan stated that political parties had turned Sarpanch elections into party-based contests, undermining the spirit of local self-governance. He emphasized that unanimous elections should be based on public free will. M.V. Reddy (Retired Bureaucrat) M.V. Reddy added that the practice of auctioning posts was dangerous for democracy and excludes disadvantaged communities. Soma Srinivas Reddy (Forum Secretary) Soma Srinivas Reddy said that candidates who purchased positions through auctions often failed to serve their villages and were more likely to engage in corrupt practices. T. Vivek (Former TGPSC Member) T. Vivek stressed the need for educated youth to contest and help develop their villages. M. Padmanabha Reddy (Forum President) M. Padmanabha Reddy said that although the circular issued by the State Election Commission was a welcome step, it remained insufficient to address the problem fully. UPSC Relevance This news article is relevant to GS2: Governance, Elections, and Decentralization . It highlights the challenges in ensuring free and fair elections at the grassroots level and the role of the State Election Commission in upholding democratic principles. Important Facts The Forum for Good Governance raised concerns about coercion in Gram Panchayat elections. The State Election Commission issued a circular on November 27 to curb forced unanimous polls. Political parties are influencing Sarpanch elections, undermining local self-governance. Auctioning of posts excludes disadvantaged communities and is dangerous for democracy.