Election Commission hints at Karnataka polls in May

The Election Commission has dropped enough hints that a popular Government could be installed in Karnataka before the term of Federal rule in the State ends in May last week.

Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami expressed confidence that the electoral rolls in the delimited assembly constituencies will be ready by April first week, but stopped short of announcing whether the impending elections will be held in May.

Speaking to reporters after a marathon meeting with deputy commissioners of various districts in the state and representatives of various political parties on Tuesday, Gopalaswami said the revision of electoral rolls as per the delimitation of constituencies was proceeding smoothly. “By March 15, the preliminary work will be completed in all the districts. The entire exercise will be completed between March 25 and first week of April’, said Gopalaswami.

A final decision on the timing of assembly polls in Karnataka will, however, be taken by the Election Commission in New Delhi after assessing the entire situation and considering the petitions filed various political parties.

A full bench of Election Commission comprising Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and S Y Quraishi met leaders of various political parties earlier and heard their views on the timing of polls.

While BJP and JD (S) favoured polls before expiry of Federal rule on May 28, the Congress had sought postponement of the exercise till all the anomalies in the electoral list are removed.

However, the Election Commission appeared determined to hold the polls before the Federal rule ends. “Except for acts of God, human acts should not come in the way of holding elections on time”, Gopalaswami said in an oblique reference to the Congress party’s demand for putting off the polls.

The Chief Election Commissioner even quoted the Supreme Court ruling delivered in 2002 stating that elections should be held within six months of the dissolution of the House except in rare cases like “acts of God” (natural disasters).

According to Election Commission officials, who were present in the meeting, the Chief Election Commissioner told the Deputy Commissioners to be prepared for elections any time. “Be prepared to meeting any eventuality. It is the duty of the election commission to hold elections on time”.