IndiPosted at: May 13 2021 8:29PM

EC defers biennial elections to Legislative Councils of AP, Telangana due to COVID-19

New Delhi, May 13 (UNI) The Election Commission on Thursday deferred biennial elections to the Legislative Councils of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to outbreak of the second wave of
COVID-19 in the country.
The term of office of three members of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and six members of
Telangana Legislative Council, elected by the members of respective Legislative Assemblies (MLAs), are expiring on May 31 and June 3 respectively, the Election Commission said in a statement.
''As per the provisions of Section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the seats
of State Legislative Council which are going to be vacant on expiration of the term of the members, are required to be filled up by holding biennial election before the said expiration of the term,'' it said in a statement.
''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 biennial election to the Legislative Councils of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively till the pandemic situation significantly improves and conditions become conducive to hold these biennial elections,'' the Election Commission said.
The poll panel said it will take a decision in the matter at an appropriate time in the future after taking inputs from the states concerned and assessing the pandemic situation from mandated authorities like NDMA/SDMA.
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