Karnataka polls: EC takes its time

After Gujarat and Himachal polls, all eyes are now set on Assembly polls in Karnataka...

After Gujarat and Himachal polls, all eyes are now set on Assembly polls in Karnataka and three northeastern states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura, where the Assemblies are ending on March 10, 13 and 19 respectively.

The elections in the northeastern states have to be held latest by the first week of March. However, there is no indication from the Election Commission if it is planning to hold elections to the Karnataka Assembly simultaneously.

Karnataka8217;s case is unique in the sense that unlike the northeastern states, it is under Central rule since November 29. Under Constitutional provisions, the new legislative Assembly in Karnataka should be constituted within six months from the date of dissolution.

When contacted, a senior official of the commission said that no decision on Karnataka has been taken yet, but they have no problem in holding any election within a period of two months.

8220;We can make preparations and hold the polls simultaneously with the northeastern states if a decision is taken and the electoral roll is published for the state on time,8221; he said. Karnataka8217;s voters8217; list is going to be published by January 10 as per the schedule, confirmed an election official.

If other ground realities are favorable in Karnataka, the EC should not have any difficulty in going for an early poll in the state.

Apart from installing an elected Government in Karnataka at the earliest, another reason for holding simultaneous elections is to avoid implementing the model code of conduct all through the year. If elections to Karnataka Assembly are not held in February 2007, they will be deferred till April or May due to exam schedules. Therefore, the model code, barring some period in between, will be in force till the end of the year as Assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh , Delhi, Mizoram and Jammu and Kashmir are scheduled in November and December.

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Due to the model code of conduct being in force many projects, policy decisions etc are kept in abeyance. Either the Government cannot go ahead and announce any new programme due to the code, or it cannot take tough policy decisions for the fear of annoying the voters, resulting in cost overruns and administrative difficulties.

In Himachal Pradesh, the EC pre-poned the polls on account of climactic conditions and held it three months ahead of schedule. Another reason given by the commission was that from the next elections, the schedule will be set right keeping in mind the conditions in the hill state. Similar logic can be applied in Karnataka too.