Hyderabad: The Electoral Commission of India on Thursday announced the indefinite postponement of biennial elections to the Telangana Legislative Council due to the outbreak of the second wave COVID-19.
According to an official release from the ECI, elections for six vacancies are being held in the Telangana Legislative Council this month due to the expiration of the term of the sitting MLCs on 3 June.
In addition, elections to the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council were scheduled for three vacancies, with a view to the expiration of the May 31 term. These MLCs should be preferred under the quota of MLAs.
According to the provisions of section 16 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the seats of the Constitutional Council which will be vacant after the term of the members must be filled by holding a biennial election before the said expiry of the term.
However, the EC said it had reviewed the matter on Thursday and decided that it was due to the outbreak of the second wave. COVID-19 infections, it would not be appropriate to hold biennial elections to the Legislative Council until the pandemic situation improves significantly and conditions are conducive to holding this biennial election.
“The Commission will in future, at an appropriate time, take a decision on the input of the states concerned and assess the pandemic situation of authorized authorities such as NDMA / SDMA,” the EC’s official note said.
Source: The Siasat Daily