Part IX & IXA - Panchayats & Municipalities • Article

Article 243F Simplified: Disqualifications for membership

Article 243F outlines the grounds for disqualifying candidates or members of Panchayats. It aligns these rules with state assembly election laws, but provides a crucial exception: the minimum age to contest a Panchayat election is lowered to 21 years (instead of 25 for state assemblies).

Official Text

(1) A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of a Panchayat— (a) if he is so disqualified by or under any law for the time being in force for the purposes of elections to the Legislature of the State concerned: Provided that no person shall be disqualified on the ground that he is less than twenty-five years of age, if he has attained the age of twenty- one years; (b) if he is so disqualified by or under any law made by the Legislature of the State. (2) If any question arises as to whether a member of a Panchayat has become subject to any of the disqualifications mentioned in clause (1), the question shall be referred for the decision of such authority and in such manner as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

This rule tells us who is not allowed to run for the village council. For example, you have to be at least 21 years old, and you can't have been disqualified by any other state law.

Student Mode

Article 243F sets the disqualification criteria for Panchayat membership. It states that a person is disqualified if they are so disqualified under any law made by the state legislature, or any law of the appropriate legislature. Significantly, no person can be disqualified on the ground that they are less than 25 years of age, if they have attained the age of 21 years. Disputes regarding disqualifications are referred to an authority designated by state law.

Example

A 22-year-old college graduate wants to run for the office of ward member in their village Panchayat. Although they are too young to run for the State Legislative Assembly (which requires age 25), they are fully qualified to contest the Panchayat election under Article 243F.

Key Takeaway

Article 243F governs Panchayat membership disqualifications, lowering the minimum age to contest local elections to 21 years.

FAQs

What is the minimum age to contest elections for a Panchayat?

The minimum age is 21 years (unlike the 25 years required for Parliament or State Assemblies).

Who decides disputes regarding the disqualification of a Panchayat member?

Such disputes are referred to an authority designated by the State Legislature by law.

Can a person be disqualified for being under 25 years old if they want to join a Panchayat?

No, Article 243F explicitly protects individuals who are 21 years or older from being disqualified on the ground of age.

Quiz

What is the minimum age to be eligible for election as a member of a Panchayat?

Answer: 21 years

Under Article 243F, who has the power to designate the authority for deciding disqualification disputes?

Answer: The State Legislature