Political parties asks EC to postpone municipal polls

Hyderabad, March 5 : Almost all political parties in the State have requested the Election Commission of India to either postpone the municipal elections or hold their results till the completion of Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking to media persons after attending the all-party meeting convened by Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwarlal at the State Secretariat here on Wednesday, BJP leader Dr K Lakshman said that the results of municipal elections, to be held on March 30, might influence the voters who will have to cast their franchise in the Lok Sabha and Assembly polls exactly a month later. Therefore, the ECI should either postpone the municipal elections or hold the results till Lok Sabha polls. He also requested the Election Commission to keep a proper check on paid news and articles while taking stern measures to stop the use of liquor and money power.

Lakshman said that the Excise Department should be directed not to sell extra quota during elections.

Congress leader B Kamalakar Rao also demanded that the Election Commission should with hold the results of municipal elections till Lok Sabha polls. He requested the Centre, the Governor and ECI to take stern action candidates who try to lure the voters using money power. He also asked the ECI to ensure increase in the polling percentage, especially in the tribal and other remote areas of the State.

K Ravindra Kumar of TDP requested the Election Commission to ensure that the irregularities or discrepencies made in previous elections are not repeated during this poll. He said a same set of voters’ list should be provided to both the Returning Officer and candidates.

Two representatives each of five political parties participated in the meeting. They demanded ban on paid news and articles in both print and electronic media.  INN