Amid Covid gloom, the Election Commission on Wednesday deferred be-elections of three Parliamentary and eight Assembly Constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Meghalaya and Rajasthan.
“The Commission has reviewed the matter today and has decided that due to outbreak of the second wave of Covid-19 in the country it would not be appropriate to hold be-elections till the pandemic situation significantly improves and conditions become conducive to hold these be-elections,” the EC in a statement on Wednesday.
The bye-elections in three seats include Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh and Mandi, Fatehpur in Himachal Pradesh and eight vacancies in Assembly Constituencies including Kalka in Himachal Pradesh, Ellenabad in Haryana, Vallabhnagar in Rajasthan, Sindgi in Karnataka, Rajabala and Mawryngkneng (ST) in Meghalaya, and Badvel (SC) in Andhra Pradesh.
The poll body further stated that as per the provisions of section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the vacancies are required to be filled, through bye-elections within six months from the date of occurrence of the vacancy, provided that the remainder of the term in relation to the vacancy is one year or more.
“There are few more vacancies of seats for which reports and notifications are awaited and being confirmed. The Commission will take a decision in the matter at the appropriate time in the future.