Postpone Aug 30 Urban Local Body elections: HC

Bangalore, Aug 7 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today directed the Karnataka Election Commission (KEC) to postpone the August 30 elections to Urban Local Bodies to September in view of the prevailing bad weather conditions in the state.

Disposing off a PIL submitted by two individuals seeking postponement of elections, the two-member Bench of Karnataka High Court directed the KEC to issue fresh calendar of events for the elections. The Bench chaired by Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Cyriac Joseph and Justice Rammohana Reddy were also informed by Karnataka Advocate General that the date fixed by the KEC clashed with Muslim festival and the enforcement authorities would be busy in maintaining law and order. The political parties also sought postponement of elections in the State Legislature.

The petitioners contended that the South West Monsoon resulted in large scale distruction of both private and public properties in the State. The torrential rains would make it very difficult for the people to participate in the August 30 elections as announced by the KEC.

The petitioners also contended that when they approached KEC to postpone elections the latter informed that elections were being held as per the directions of the Karnataka HC. The torrential rains which also caused floods in many parts of the state would come in the way of exercising their votes.

However, the KEC counsel contended that elections could not be postponed as they were already announced and the process was set in motion. Hence, it was not possible to postpone the elections, the KEC Counsel maintained.

However, after hearing all the parties the two-Judge Bench in its interim order had directed the KEC to postpone the elections and announce fresh calendar of events to be completed before September 30 this year. ''The elections shall not be fixed beyond September 30,'' the bench stated.

UNI