HC asks UP to file affidavit over local bodies polls

Allahabad, Sep 8 (UNI) Allahabad High Court today asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file an affidavit till September 22 on why local bodies elections had not yet been notified.

UP advocate general S M A Kazmi tried to convince the court about the delay in holding the elections. The court has asked for the status of the notification.

Justice D P Singh passed this order on a contempt petition filed by Rakesh Kumar Singh, who alleged that in spite of the High Court order on December 22, 2005, the state government had not yet notified the local bodies polls.

On September 4, the court had directed the UP chief secretary and secretary nagar vikas to appear in person for not holding the polls. The chief secretary was not present in the court and had filed an affidavit disclosing the reasons.

The UP government and election commission were directed to hold the polls and ensure the election of municipalities, nagar panchayats and municipal corporations are held within a period of six months.

The state government earlier had filed an affidavit in the court that UP will notify the election by August 21, 2006.

Mr Kazmi informed the government could not notify the local bodies elections because of multiplicity of writ petitions and orders passed therein.

The court will hear the case on September 22, 2006.

UNI XC VS VA KN1952