Provision:
Promotion of Local Government Institutions
The State shall encourage local government institutions composed of elected representatives of the areas concerned.
Special representation shall be given to peasants, workers, and women in these institutions as prescribed by law.
Meaning:
Article 32 mandates the State to promote local self-governance through elected bodies at the grassroots level. It emphasises inclusive representation, especially of marginalised groups such as workers, farmers, and women.
This decentralisation aims to bring governance closer to the people, ensuring their participation in decision-making and addressing local needs more effectively.
Application:
When provincial governments establish municipal corporations, union councils, or district governments with elections, they are acting under Article 32.
Laws that reserve seats for women or labourers in local councils reflect this Article’s requirement for inclusive representation. However, failure to hold local body elections or to ensure fair representation can be criticised as a violation of the spirit of Article 32, even if it may not be directly enforceable in court.
