Karnataka State Election Commission postpones gram panchayat polls

  Karnataka State Election Commission on Thursday anunced postponement of gram panchayat polls citing COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 6,025 gram panchayats, tenure of 5,800 gram panchayats will end by June-August 2020. "After examining feasibility of conducting general elections to gram panchayats, State Election Commission, considering current situation as exceptional circumstance, has decided to temporarily postpone general elections to gram panchayats," SEC said in a release. It said after examining situation in days to come, decision will be taken on holding general elections to gram panchayats. CEC also states that report by Deputy Commissioners of districts on holding elections was verified and it has been found that district administrations are involved in COVID-19 related work and re will be short of staff and transport facilities for elections. Besides, re would be a problem in maintaining law and order. Last week through a letter to Deputy Commissioners of districts, commission had sought opinion on holding panchayat polls amid COVID-19 crisis. It had also pointed out that electoral roll needs to be prepared and reservations had to be allocated as per new amendments.

Stating that state election commission's decision to postpone gram panchayat elections was against provisions of Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993, Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said Congress will question this "undemocratic act" in court of law. He accused commission of playing to BJP's tune and said congress will protest decision at gram panchayat level. Opposition parties in state, especially congress, have been demanding elections.

government was in favour of postponement of polls and wants to have administrative committees to govern panchayats, until polls are held, according to government sources. Congress, raising apprehension about administrative committees, has accused government of conspiring to have ruling BJP workers as its members. A congress delegation had last week submitted a petition to State Election Commissioner B Basavaraju and urged Commission to hold elections. congress had even suggested continuation of sitting panchayat members until polls are held, instead of appointing administrative committees.