Next hearing on govt-SEC dispute on Oct 16
BENGALURU:
The High Court on Monday asked the State Election Commission to respond to the state government’s request for postponement of the Gram Panchayat elections in the light of rising coronavirus cases in Karnataka.
Legislator KC Kondayya and others had filed a PIL demanding elections to village panchayats that have completed their term.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Chief Justice A S Oka queried, “Do you want the court to hold an election?”
Senior advocate KN Fanindra, appearing for the SEC, said the RDPR Department had on October 3 made a written appeal to postpone GP elections. He said the SEC had written to the government on October 6, asking it to appeal to the HC as the matter was in court.
Advocate General Prabhulinga K Navadgi, on behalf of government, said the appeal was not made for the postponement of the election but to assess the current situation and then take a proper decision. He said the government intends to hold the elections, but the people’s health is important.
The court later adjourned the hearing to October 16.
Poll schedule
The SEC also submitted to the court a closed envelope containing the possible GP election schedule. Currently, by-elections for 2 assembly constituencies and 4 teacher’s and graduate’s constituencies are scheduled. The poll code of conduct is already in effect in 18 districts.
