Shrines open, why defer polls, high court asks Karnataka government

BENGALURU: The HC has directed the state to file an affidavit justifying its May 17 decision to request the poll panel to postpone elections to zilla, taluk panchayats and other municipal bodies beyond Dec 31, 2021, citing Covid. “When people are allowed to visit religious places, how come they are not allowed to go to polling stations,” the HC asked.
A high court division bench noted the Covid situation has improved since the cabinet decision and said assembly elections were conducted even during the pandemic. Prima facie, it said, the government’s decision does not bind the SEC, a constitutional authority duty bound to conduct timebound elections.
Appearing on behalf of SEC, senior advocate KN Phanindra said a meeting was held on July 28 and a decision will be taken shortly on holding elections to city corporations of Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Hubballi-Dharwad and city municipal councils of Doddaballapur and Tarikere. Next hearing of the suo motu PIL is on August 13.
The petition was initiated after noticing that elections to a large number of municipalities are not being held as per Clause (3) of Article 243(U) of the Constitution.