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
Well found some supporter here for these thieves. They are the same people who buy cheAp beef from these people. Sorry, now no more cheep beef.
Good job cops
They should be given severe punishment....they steal and sell it to innocent people...ultimately those who bought from them are also going to become part of their criminal activity, literally....so sad...
Hello, Kushwant Bhat, did you see the face of your mentor Pumpwell? He is pakka goonda and anti-national look if you decide by seeing any one's face.
\Experience makes man Perfect \"not understanding again and again these Goons doing better Hang up self and self or Put them in a Dark no one can not see Jails for Permanently or send then to \"Guantanamo bay Jail\" other wise these Culprits never Improve, these Criminal culprits neither go School OR madrasa, looking their face says you readers understand such a Very good community called Peace they came from Destroying their life Inside Bars and Police station what else to say only to Hag yourself ggod.
Most worried Hindustani.
Jai Hind
Where are you Narean
Jai hoo Naren Bai."
I am really appreciated by Ullala police actions and the award should be given to their timely actions. Stealing is not allowed at all in the Islam. Some people are spoiling the name of Muslim community and giving chance to talk these so called some protector of Hindu community organizer.
Appreciated Ullala Police timely actions. This culprits are spoiling image of Muslim communities by stealing the COWs.
Whenever there is wrong doings by our community we must condemn randomly.
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