Assembly elections: Election Commission explores September dates for Maharasahtra and Haryana

Assembly elections: Election Commission explores September dates for Maharasahtra and Haryana

The Election Commission is exploring the option of advancing assembly elections in Maharasahtra and Haryana by a month. If EC has its way, assembly elections in the two Congress-ruled states could be held in September, a month in advance, as the two states had last gone to elections in October 2009.

Representatives of the Maharashtra and Haryana Election Commission recently tossed the idea of advancing elections when they held discussions with nominees of political parties and bureaucrats of the respective states, according to sources. While EC team cited logistical reasons and possibility of heavy rains in Maharashtra as reasons for the suggestion, some political parties have resented the proposal and said they would rather prefer assembly polls to be held on time in October.

While mooting the idea of September polls EC has, however, made these parties wonder whether the suggestion has been made after it consulted Union home ministry, which has to provide security forces and make other logistical arrangements for holding elections. "A team of Maharashtra Election Commission held talks with representatives of various political parties and some senior-level bureaucrats in the state during the past fortnight.

They have said there is thinking within EC of holding assembly elections in Maharashtra in September, instead of October. They said the same schedule is being discussed for elections in Haryana as well," said a leader of Shiv Sena, an ally of BJP-led NDA, on condition of anonymity.

A senior leader of NCP too confirmed that EC representatives have mooted the idea of holding assembly elections in September. Two Congress leaders from Haryana too said they were aware of EC mooting the idea of advancing the polls by a month. The BJP-led NDA had swept the Lok Sabha elections in May in Haryana and Maharashtra.

"When last week EC representatives mooted the idea of holding Maharashtra assembly elections in September, Shiv Sena representatives made it clear to the EC team that it will be better elections are held on time, in October, for two reasons: September will be too early for parties to prepare for elections.

Secondly, till August end, the state will be busy with Gansesh pooja," said the Sena leader. "EC representatives have been seeking views of concerned people on the likelihood of holding Maharashtra election in September. Let us see," quipped am NCP leader.

On the other hand, a Congress leader from Haryana pointed out Pitr-Paksh or Shardh in the in Hindu calendar falls between 9 to 24 September and wondered how "any major political activity could be carried out during this time Along with Maharashtra and Haryana, assembly elections are also due in Jharkhand later this month.

Political parties such as AAP have been pushing for holding early assembly elections in Delhi, where the state assembly has been kept under suspended animation. There has been a buzz in political circles that EC may look at the possibility of clubbing elections to all 4 states.

src:economicstimes

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