Kerala HC asks Election Commission to file statement on why it delayed polls to 3 Rajya Sabha seats

The EC had last week told the court that the election process would be completed in such a manner to ensure the legislators of the current assembly are entitled to elect the RS members.

The court was hearing the petition of CPI (M) legislator S Sharma, who has challenged the EC's decision.

THE KERALA High Court on Wednesday asked the Election Commission (EC) to furnish a statement on why it kept in abeyance an earlier notification to conduct elections to three Rajya Sabha seats in the state, which fall vacant on April 21. The court was hearing the petition of CPI (M) legislator S Sharma, who has challenged the EC’s decision.

The EC told the court that the notification for the election process would be issued before April 21. However, the bench of Justice P V Asha sought an explanation on why it decided to keep in abeyance the earlier notification to conduct the elections. The EC has to furnish its statement on April 9, when the matter comes up next before the court.

As per the original schedule, the elections to the three seats should have been held on April 12. That would have ensured right to vote for the legislators of the present assembly. A new assembly will be formed after results to the state elections are announced on May 2.

The EC had last week told the court that the election process would be completed in such a manner to ensure the legislators of the current assembly are entitled to elect the RS members.

In his petition, Sharma alleged that the EC was acting in an arbitrary manner and he has every right to know why the poll process for the three RS seats was deferred.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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