The Election Commission (EC) on Monday withheld the byelection to the Lakshadweep Lok Sabha constituency which had been announced following the disqualification of sitting MP Mohammed Faisal P.P. after his conviction by a local court.
However, subsequently, the MP had appealed to the Kerala High Court which overturned the conviction.
After considering the matter and having due regard to the “Order passed by High Court of Kerala at Ernakulam” on January 25, the EC has decided to withhold the byelection and to defer the issuance of notification for holding the byelection in Lakshadweep, a statement said.
The Commission had on January 18 announced that byelection to the Lakshadweep Lok Sabha seat, along with the byelections to six Assembly seats spread over five States, will be held on February 27.
Mr. Faizal had challenged the EC’s announcement of byelection in Lakshadweep before the Supreme Court.
The EC had informed the Supreme Court last week that it would take note of the Kerala High Court order suspending the conviction which had resulted in his disqualification from the Lok Sabha, and take action in accordance with law.
A lower court had earlier convicted the MP and three others in an attempt-to-murder case.
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