Assembly bypolls may be postponed in Gujarat

GANDHINAGAR: By-elections for the eight assembly seats, scheduled to be held before September 14, could be delayed by few months because of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. The state government is of the view that conducting the polls during the pandemic outbreak is not advisable and is likely to request the Election Commission of India (ECI) to postpone the by-elections until the pandemic is brought under control.
By-polls of eight assembly seats - Dangs, Karjan, Morbi, Limdi, Abdasa, Gadhada, Kaprada and Dhari are to be held before September 14.“The government may request the ECI to postpone the by-elections . The pandemic is spreading in places where by-polls are to be held. Field level officers are not keen to go on election duty as several officials and teachers have tested positive ,” the sources said.
“The state government presented a report before the ECI and said conducting the by-polls on schedule will be a challenging task,” said a source.