In its ninth report on the demand for grants (2025-26) for the Ministry of Cooperation, the Standing Committee recommended that State Governments should also be encouraged to establish a Cooperative Election Authority at the state level.
This authority would oversee the elections of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies and other cooperative societies operating within the states.
Recognizing the need for transparent and fair elections in cooperatives, the Committee noted that the necessity for such an authority had been felt for a long time.
The Committee expressed satisfaction that an independent Cooperative Election Authority has been established under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 to conduct elections for Multi-State Cooperative Societies. This authority is also responsible for supervising, directing, and controlling matters related to the preparation of electoral rolls.
The Cooperative Election Authority is empowered to issue election programs and appoint District Magistrates/District Collectors as Returning Officers to ensure that elections in Multi-State Cooperative Societies are conducted in a free and fair manner.
