'Panchayat polls only after HC vacates stay orders'

The State Election Commission (SEC) has made it clear that it will conduct the elections to zilla and taluks panchayats in Karnataka only after the High Court vacates its
stay orders on the notification that fixed reservation for different constituencies.

The court’s principal seat at Bengaluru and its benches in Dharwad and Kalaburagi had pronounced stay orders on the operation of the notification. Speaking to reporters here on Friday, the State Election Commissioner, P N Sreenivasachary, stated that the commission would act as per the orders and directions of the High Court.

Some people have moved court against the reservation in most districts. Hence, it would be difficult to hold the elections partially in a particular district as the reservation would have chain actions. The commission has already taken steps to get the stay orders vacated to ensure smooth elections, Sreenivasachary said.

“The SEC has made all preparations for the elections but it cannot announce the calender of events because of the stay orders.

The matter will be discussed with the standing counsels of the SEC. We will start the election process only after the vacation of stay orders,” he stated.