In view of the ongoing month-long Simhastha Mahakumbh in Ujjain, the Election Commission of India on Thursday postponed by-election at Ghoradongari (ST) Assembly Constituency of Madhya Pradesh. The State Government had requested the Commission to postpone the by-poll.
The Commission had announced by-elections from Ghoradongari (ST) Assembly constituency on April 19, 2016. The date of poll was announced as May 16, 2016 and counting was scheduled on May19, 2016.
It was brought to the Commission’s notice by the State Government that Simhastha Mahakumbh is due to begin on April 22 and would continue till May 21.
During this Mahakumbh, over 5 crore pilgrims are expected to visit Ujjain and other holy places in the State, for which huge security and logistical arrangements have been undertaken involving shifting of police forces from various districts to the Mahakumbh areas, it has been further informed that during the Simastha Mahakumbh an International Philosophic Convention is also being organized from May 12 to14 at Ujjain District where various VVIPs and other Heads of State-Governments from foreign countries will be attending, for which also police forces will be deployed from other parts of the State due to critical security requirements. Therefore, the entire state administration, including police forces, would be focusing on the smooth conduct of Simhastha Mahakumbh particularly on logistical and security issues, during the Simhastha period.
Therefore, the State Government requested the Commission to postpone the by-election from 132-Ghoradongari (ST) Assembly Constituency by about 10 days. The next date of election would be declared afterwards.