Election of Chairman/Vice-Chairman

(1) The directly elected members of every Panchayat Samiti shall, at its first meeting at which a quorum is present elect, in the prescribed manner, one of its directly elected members to be the Chairman and another member to be the Vice-Chairman of the Panchayat Samiti. Provided that the ex-officio members, such as Gram Pradhan, Member of Legislative Assembly and other ex-officio members shall not be eligible for such election. Provided further that subject to such rules may be made in this behalf by the State Government, a member shall not be eligible for such election unless he declares in writing that, on being elected, he shall be a whole time functionary of his office and that during the period for which he holds or is due to hold such office, he shall not hold such office of profit unless he has obtained leave of absence from his place of employment or shall not carry on or be associated with any business, profession or calling in such manner that shall, or is likely to, interfere with due exercise of his powers or due performance of his functions or due discharge of his duties. (2) The meeting to be held under sub-section (1) shall be convened by the prescribed authority in the prescribed manner. (3) The Chairman or Vice-Chairman, subject to the provision of Section 82 and to their continuing as members, shall hold office for a period of five years ; (4) On expiry of five years or on ceasing to be members, whichever is earlier, the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman shall hand over the charges to the prescribed authority. (5) When— (a) the office of the Chairman falls vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise; or (b) the Chairman is by reason of leave, illness, or other cause, temporarily unable to act, the Vice-Chairman shall exercise the powers, perform the functions and discharge the duties of the Chairman until a new Chairman is elected and assumes office or until the Chairman resumes his duties, as the case may be. (6) When— (a) the office of the Vice Chairman falls vacant by reason of death, resignation, removal or otherwise ; or (b) the Vice Chairman is, by reason of leave illness or other cause, temporarily unable to act, the Chairman shall exercise