Possibility of snowfall was a key factor to declare Himachal polls early: EC

With the Opposition parties up in arms over the Election Commision not declaring the dates for polls in Gujarat along with Himachal Pradesh, Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti on Monday said likihood of snowfall in some parts of the hill state was one of the main reasons for declaring elections early.

The Congress had alleged that the NDA government had pressurised the EC to delay the announcement of Gujarat election schedule.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Joti said that state administration and even the political parties had requested them to conduct the elections in early November so that voters do not get affected by snowfall.

"Three districts - Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti and Chamba - are likely to experience snowfall. Therefore, a request was made to conduct the elections in early November so that voters do not get affected and can cast their votes," said Joti.

The CEC also said that election results of one state should not influence the voters of another state becasue of which the counting fo Himachal Pradesh has been scheduled for December 18, by which time polling in Gujarat would be over.

"We had stated that we would plan the election schedule in Gujarat in such a way that polling in Gujarat is over prior to Himachal result, so that the outcome of the result should not affect the voting in Gujarat," Joti told ANI.

He also said that some parts of Gujarat are still recovering from devastating floods last month, adding that the government staff which is carrying out the restoration work is the same which would carry out services during the elections.

On October 12, the EC had announced Assembly poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh but did not announce the dates for Gujarat, only saying that it would go to the polls before December 18.

OneIndia News