THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Left parties have welcomed the High Court verdict upholding the Election Commission’s right to conduct the local body polls as per schedule. In view of the court issuing its final verdict, the Election Commission should urgently take appropriate decision, said opposition leader V S Achuthanandan.
Terming the verdict a major setback to government’s attempts to postpone elections, Achuthanandan alleged that the government wanted to delay the polls by one month due to pressure from the Muslim League. “The court rejected this demand and made clear that the EC will have full right to conduct the polls. Now, the government should extent complete support to Election Commission’s activities to conduct the polls,” VS said and hoped that the government will do so.
In a statement issued here, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran urged the Election Commission to utilise its constitutional powers to conduct local body elections on time. “With the HC order, the government’s attempts to delay the elections as per its interests has taken a beating. Now, the EC should ensure that the polls are held on time so that the local bodies won’t go to administrative rule,” Kanam said.
Meanwhile, the CPM state secretariat has urged the Election Commission to follow its constitutional obligation of conducting the elections. Instead of carrying out its responsibility, the EC surrendered to government’s pressure, CPM alleged.
“As per the constitution, the EChas the powers to conduct the polls. The HC verdict has once again underscored this. Now, the EC should carry out its responsibility without any delay,” CPM state secretariat said.