COVID-19: EC Defers Rajya Sabha Polls
In view of the outbreak of COVID-19, the Election Commission of India has decided to defer the Rajya Sabha polls. Elections to the Upper house were scheduled to be held on March 26 and nominations had already been filed. The last date for filing nomination was March 13, as reported earlier.
A review meeting of ECI would be held on March 31 to decide on the future course of action regarding the elections to the Upper House of Parliament.
The call to defer the elections was taken in view of the outbreak of COVID-19, keeping in mind the fact that apart from members, a large number of secretarial staff and other employees would have to be present. The elections would also require preparatory work on behalf of the staff.
In view of these factors, Rajya Sabha polls have been deferred for now. The news agency, ANI posted a tweet on the matter:
Election Commission has deferred the Rajya Sabha Elections that were scheduled to be held on 26th March. https://t.co/lO7oFWtwsJ
— ANI (@ANI) March 24, 2020
Rajya Sabha elections also shot into the limelight during the time of the political crisis which gripped Madhya Pradesh. After Jyotiraditya Scindia's exit from the Congress, he filed his nomination from the BJP. Senior Congress leader from MP and former chief minister, Digvijay Singh also filed his nomination for a berth in the Upper House and is assured of a seat.
NCP Sharad Pawar will also get elected to the Rajya Sabha from Maharashtra.