The Election Commission has rejected the Congress party’s demand for rescheduling Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh. The poll panel, on Wednesday, decided not to postpone the dates of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls, announced a week ago. Chief election commissioner N Gopalaswamy, who is on a tour to the state, however, hinted that the Commission could advance the second phase of the election by 15 days to accommodate the school examinations.
??As of now, the elections will take place in the hill state as per the schedule already announced. Everything was taken into consideration before deciding the dates,?? Gopalaswamy told reporters at Shimla. The elections were scheduled in two phases on November 14 and December 19.
The Congress, citing extreme climate, had requested that the date of the polls could be extended. It had also said that the term of the Assembly ends only in March.
and holding election in November-December could lead to a Constitutional crisis. The principal Opposition party in the state the BJP had also met the Commission demanding “not to succumb to the ruling party’s pressure tactics.” The BSP, CPI, CPI(M) and the NCP were also not in favour of changing the poll schedule.
The state school examination board had demanded an advancement of the poll schedule in the wake of terminal examinations. “On a written request from the HPSEB chairman about exam schedule from December 4 to December 20, the EC has asked the board to adjust to the dates of the election announced. But in case of some difficulties, they should write to us in 2-3 days after which the Commission will discuss on advancing the poll by 15 days,” Gopalaswami said.
He added that the poll panel is open to the request of advancing the poll in the interest of the students if the board expresses its inability to hold the examination in accordance to the poll dates already announced. Gopalaswami also said that the Commission will take views from the states but do not consult them on announcement of poll dates. “Both the Assemblies can exist and the notification of the new Assembly will be issued after expiry of the term of the previous one,” he said denying the argument that holding elections in December could create Constitutional crisis. He added that the election would be conducted in the state in a free, fair and peaceful manner and foolproof arrangements would be made to prevent violence.