New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has sought the stand of the Election Commission (EC) on a plea alleging delay in issuing of notification for by-election in Bijepur Assembly constituency.
Justice Rekha Palli directed the EC’s counsel to get specific instructions regarding the time frame in which it proposes to hold the by-election. The Commission, however, contended that the process for holding the by-election is under active consideration. The court was hearing a petition by a civil organisation which has sought direction to the ECI for early conduct of the by-elections.
Expressing concern over the “delay” in announcement of dates for the by-poll, Kanak Foundation has submitted that the seat had fallen vacant with the demise of MLA Subala Sahu August 22 last year. It was alleged that the EC had delayed the issuance of notification for the poll due to which the people in the constituency were suffering. The court has fixed the matter for further hearing February 9.
During the hearing, the poll panel’s counsel submitted that VVPATs and EVMs have been procured for the elections and officials have been trained for the purpose.
PNN
