legislative Council polls to be held today in State

The Supreme Court directed the Election Commission to conduct the elections to the Bihar legislative Council on Tuesday even as the tenure of elected members remained subject to the court finally deciding to keep the law intact requiring one-third Council members to retire every two years.

Ahead of the elections, a controversy was stoked by the Patna High Court directing EC to elect members who will retire after two, four, and six years. The bench wondered how this is feasible with Council members threatening to move Court against removal prior to their full six-year term.

A total of 24 seats are to be filled by representatives chosen by local bodies in the State during the Tuesday’s election. The EC submitted an affidavit before the bench headed by CJI Hl Dattu that the tenures of the elected members may be decided by draw of lots. 

The High Court directed the EC, in consultation with the legislative Council, to identify one-third of 24 seats to retire in two years, four years and six years, a direction opposed by the poll panel. The affidavit added, “The Election Commission states that after the elections, the Election Commission shall then categorise the elected members into three categories (i.E. Having term of 2,4 and 6 years respectively) by draw of lots in accordance with the decision or direction of this court.”