May 28: The Karnataka State Election Commission on Thursday announced postponement of gram panchayat polls citing the COVID-19 pandemic.
Out of 6,025 gram panchayats, the tenure of 5,800 gram panchayats will end by June-August 2020.
"After examining the feasibility of conducting general elections to gram panchayats, the State Election Commission, considering the current situation as exceptional circumstance, has decided to temporarily postpone the general elections to the gram panchayats," the SEC said in a release.
It said after examining the situation in the days to come, the decision will be taken on holding the general elections to the gram panchayats.
The CEC also states that report by Deputy Commissioners of districts on holding the elections was verified and it has been found that district administrations are involved in COVID-19 related work and there will be shortage of staff and transport facilities for the elections. Besides, there would be a problem in maintaining law and order.
Last week through a letter to Deputy Commissioners of districts, the commission had sought opinion on holding panchayat polls amid the COVID-19 crisis. It had also pointed out that electoral roll needs to be prepared and reservations had to be allocated as per the new amendments.
Stating that the state election commission's decision to postpone gram panchayat elections was against the provisions of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993, the Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said the Congress will question this "undemocratic act" in the court of law.
He accused the commission of playing to the BJP's tune and said the congress will protest the decision at gram panchayat level.
Opposition parties in the state, especially congress, have been demanding elections.
The government was in favour of postponement of polls and wants to have administrative committees to govern the panchayats, until the polls are held, according to government sources.
The Congress, raising apprehension about administrative committees, has accused the government of conspiring to have ruling BJP workers as its members.
A congress delegation had last week submitted a petition to State Election Commissioner B Basavaraju and urged the Commission to hold elections.
The congress had even suggested continuation of sitting panchayat members until the polls are held, instead of appointing administrative committees.
Comments
This is a false allegation by this BJP Leader. BJP has no issue now a days and nominated certtain people to give illogic, false and anti national statement. Whatever this local bjp leader telling is nothing but lie. He wants to create trouble in karnataka based on guidance received from his party. Police should do investigatin and in case whatever being told by this local bjp leader is wrong he should be arrested under goonda act. At the same time, in case the Moulvi has said anything wrong apprpriated action should be taken on him. He should respect our nation and should not compare it with Pakistan which is quite instable and people are fighting there themselves. We cant compare Pakistan with India. There is a huge difference between India and pakistan in many issues. India is far better than Pakistan.
Hell with your fake desh bhakti.
BJP leaders know that there are many people who will believe what they say and believe in them without VERIFYING and hate others. Guys GOD has given Us intellect . till when will we guys will be Fooled by the haters of humanity to FOOL us to hate eachother. We need to Wake up and use our god given intellect.. No Muslims want to create a pakistan in india.This concept is only with the Hate mongers who play with the minds of those who are not thinking on their own about the society which was living peacefully by both hindus and muslims since long time.
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