New Delhi:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to conduct biennial election to Maharashtra Legislative Council on May 21,2020.
The ECI on Friday reviewed the matter concerning feasibility of conduct of biennial election for the nine vacant seats of the MLC by MLAs in the state of Maharashtra.
Sunil Arora, chief election commissioner (CEC) joined the meeting with Ashok Lavasa, election commissioner and Sushil Chandra, election commissioner over video call (from USA).
Nine seats of MLC by MLAs became vacant on 24 April 2020 in Maharashtra (Annexure A). The ECI on 03 April 2020 issued an order under Article 324 to defer the elections till further orders in view of COVID-19 circumstances.
The Election Commission has received a letter dated 30th April, 2020 of chief secretary, Maharashtra in which, he has pointed out the various measures taken to control pandemic and that in the state government’s assessment, elections to the nine seats of MLC by MLAs could be held in a safe environment.
The state government has assured the commission that the state government is fully committed to ensuring that the said elections are held in total hygienic conditions with social distancing measures and other conditions imposed by the competent authorities.
The commission also received a DO letter dated 30th April 2020 of the governor, Maharashtra addressed to the CEC indicating the feasibility of conducting elections in the state. In this connection, the governor, Maharashtra, has also mentioned that Udhav Balasaheb Thackeray was sworn in as the chief minister of Maharashtra on 28th November, 2019 and pointed out that as per constitutional provisions he has to become a member of either the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council within a period of six months i.e. on or before the 27th May, 2020.
He has further stated that the ground level situation is contained and as of now appears to be improving with several relaxations being made by the Government. Hence keeping in view, the entire situation, the Election Commission has been requested to consider working out modalities to hold elections.
Further the commission has appointed chief electoral officer, Maharashtra , as observer for this election. It aso decided to review other deferred elections in the next week.
