The high-level delegation of the Election Commission of India will hold discussions with representatives of the eight recognised political parties in the State on Tuesday.
The high-level team headed by Deputy Election Commission Umesh Sinha has been deputed consequent on the “premature” dissolution of the legislative Assembly to study the situation in the State and assess the preparedness to hold the elections. The EC team has communicated its intentions to hold discussions with the representatives of the political parties separately and take their views.
The political parties are accordingly given 10 minutes each starting with the Bahujan Samaj Party at 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday. The office of the Chief Electoral Officer informed the political parties about the schedule finalised by the EC team to BSP, BJP, CPI, CPI (M), Indian National Congress, Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, Telangana Rashtra Samiti, Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress .
The CEO has asked the leadership of these political parties to depute two to three representatives on their behalf. The representatives should be present at the venue CEO’s office in the Secretariat before 15 minutes of the time allotted to them.
“No additional time can be granted in view of the scheduled pre-occupation of the team,” the invite to the political parties said.
Meanwhile, CEO Rajat Kumar called on the Chief Election Commissioner O.P. Rawat at the Nirvachan Sadan in New Delhi and held elaborate discussions on the State’s preparedness to hold the elections. Emerging out of the meeting, he said the CEC had been explained about the exercise initiated for putting in place the necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of elections whenever they were held.
No decision had been taken relating to the dates of the elections and the meeting focussed on the arrangements that were being made in view of the visit of the high-level delegation deputed by the EC to the State. “The Election Commission will take a call on the election schedule after the high-level team submits its report on the State’s preparedness,” he said.
