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
Haha ...when few mangaloreans who share cmon DNA with Isis and Pakistanis show open solidarity with Pakistan ..they cannot point at nationalist Indians. Papa same DNA share madidru naavu part of ummah chummah ..namma for father's Arab andru saha Saudi nalli ivakke mooji kaasda maryade tikkuji ..haha ...can any body who supports ummah can get citizenship in Saudi ? It means there are two types of DNA ..pure DNA and impure DNA. Hahaha....
Its very much understood that Muslim terrorists are using naxals and ulfa to spread their terror ..becoz they know if they directly engage ..boot licking khangress is not in power ...bjp don't want terror supporters vote and mercilessly it will crack down. ..Bholo Bharath mata ki jai
Shaji, that can not be done in Assam, since the DNA is same ..
Now china or Pak is going to get the blame, as the outsiders are held responsible for Train accidents in India.... Today one Train mishap was averted as the loco driver noticed a iron mould of 380 kilos on the track ......It will be a mystery how the mould of 380 kilos can be placed on railway tracks ....
why indian forces are not given special rights in Assam as they are given in kashmir
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