Two months after the by-election in RK Nagar was cancelled, the Election Commission has informed the Centre that the situation in the constituency has not improved to conduct the elections. The EC said in a statement:
After taking all relevant factors into account, the EC hereby certifies that the process of by-election to RK Nagar constituency could not be held within the period contemplated (within six month-ie, 4 June) in Section 151A of The Representation of the People Act. The said by-election will now be held when the situation in the constituency becomes conducive for the conduct of free and fair election.
The commission said that the election will be conducted only when the situation improves.
“The by-election would now be held when the situation in the constituency concerned becomes conducive to the conduct of free and fair election,” said the statement.
Rajesh Lakhoni, Chief Electoral Officer, had also submitted a report asking for an extension in the time period to conduct the elections. The Election Commission stated:
Now, therefore, taking all relevant factors into account, the Commission hereby certifies that the process of the by-election to the Legislative Assembly to fill up the casual vacancy could not be held within the period contemplated under Section 151A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
On 9 April 2017, the Election Commission had cancelled the election scheduled on 12 April due to voter bribing and corruption.
This came after IT officials had conducted a raid at the residence of health minister Vijayabhaskar and reportedly found documents which showed that close to Rs 90 crore was to be distributed to the voters in the constituency by AIADMK Amma party.
(This article has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)
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