Elections to 27 ZPs and 310 panchayat samitis in Mah stayed

Mumbai, Jan 18 (UNI) Maharashtra State Election Commission has stayed the elections to 27 Zilla Parishads and 310 panchayat samitis scheduled for next month following the dismissal of its special leave petition by the Supreme Court against the High Court's directive in respect of reservation and rotation of seats.

The Election Commission had moved the Supreme Court by filing a Special leave petition against the decision of the Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court upholding a petition against the commission over the issue of reservation and rotation of seats as per the population.

The Supreme Court during December 11, 2006 hearing did not put any restrictions on announcement of the poll schedule.

However, yesterday the Supreme Court said that the State Election Commission's lawyer had sought permission to file a review petition before the Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court. The Commission, in a late night statement issued yesterday, said it would require time to seek High Court's directive on the neccessary changes to be made in reservations which is 60 to 65 per cent at present.

UNI