Election Commission defers March 26 Rajya Sabha polls

Decision may be reviewed after Mar 31: EC officials

NEWDELHI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Tuesday it was postponing the Rajya Sabha polls scheduled for March 26 in wake of Covid-19 outbreak to “prevent a health hazard”.

Elections were to be held for 18 Upper House seats across seven assemblies—madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Gujarat—in the latest round of indirect elections for the 245member council of states. Of the 55 seats that fell vacant, 37 members were elected unopposed.

The decision was taken at a meeting attended by election commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra.

“The situation, because of Covid-19, mandates that we shouldn’t put MLAS in a congregation. The decision has been taken independently by the commission and will be up for review once the situation improves,” said a senior EC official who asked not to be named. “We have decided to defer the polls as the situation is not conducive for them,” another senior EC official told HT. “We will review the decision after March 31,” he added.

The first official said this round of elections will be conducted separately from the next round of Rajya Sabha polls, likely in June. “The two will not be clubbed together,” he said.

“It’s the right thing to do. When the whole country is passing through such kind of a trauma, it becomes imperative,” ex-chief election commissioner Vikram Sampath said. Congress MP Rajeev Gowda, however, said a solution could have been worked out. “Given the need for physical distancing, it seems justifiable to postpone the elections. The country is under lockdown and elected representatives should lead by example. But on the other hand, one could have worked out a situation where MLAS could have been given staggered timings,” he said.

According to BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi the postponement doesn’t help the party all. “If you evaluate the situation, you can’t curtail movement during the polls. And on the polling day, all MLAS will be present, which could be dangerous. Moreover, postponing the elections makes it difficult for us, not easier in MP and Gujarat,” he said.

In a press release issued by ECI, it said the decision was being taken in view of the health risks posed by Covid-19. “Commission has reviewed the matter. Prevailing unforeseen situation of public health emergency indicates the need for avoidance of gatherings of any nature,” the release said.

“The poll process in the above said elections would necessarily include the gathering of polling officials, agents of political parties, support officials and members of respective Legislative Assemblies on the poll day, which may not be suitable in view of the prevailing unforeseen situation and related advisories in the country,” it added.

The order added the list of contesting candidates, which have been published by the respective returning officers of the different states, will remain valid.