ECI raises objection on Jammu and Kashmir's LG's statement on assembly polls

The Election Commission on Tuesday took exception to the reported remarks of Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor G C Murmu on the timing of polls in the union territory, and said in the constitutional scheme of things, only the EC is authorised to decide on the poll schedule.

Srinagar:Election Commission of India on Tuesday raised strong objections to Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant-Governor GC Murmu’s statements on election timing in the union territory.

Murmu had reportedly claimed that elections in the union territory can be held after the ongoing delimitation exercise.

His statement was published in some newspapers and EC in a statement gave details of those newspapers with the date of publishing. It is one of the rarest incidents of EC issuing statement against another constitutional body.

ECI released a statement which says, “Election Commission takes exception to such statements and would like to state that in the Constitutional scheme of things, the timings etc. of elections is the sole remit of Election Commission of India”.

“Before deciding the timing, the Commission takes into consideration all the relevant factors including topography, weather, sensitivities arising out of regional and local festivities in the area(s) where the election is to take place.”, it added.

EC also mentioned how the pandemic outbreak is now one of factor and EC takes it into consideration.

"For example, in the current times, COVID-19 has introduced a new dynamic, which has to be and shall be taken into consideration at the due time.

In the instant case, the outcome of Delimitation is also germane to the decision. Similarly, the availability of central forces and railway coaches, etc. for the transportation of CPFs are important factors”.

This is to mention that ECI had deferred Rajya Sabha polls in March due to countrywide lockdown after COVID-19 spread. Last week it decided to defer bye-elections for eight seats including one Parliamentary Constituency.

The poll panel advised the authorities to not make statements on elections as it amounts to interference with the Constitutional mandate of Election Commission.