PONDA: With State government invoking Epidemic Act, the Ponda locals on Monday urged the State Election Commission to postpone the Zilla Panchayat elections scheduled for March 22, which include gathering of people in a queue.
A senior citizen from Kavlem Manohar Naik said, “Why voters should stand in queue and take risk. The State Election Commission should postpone the election to May.”
Std XI student Puja Naik and other students who are preparing for the exams said, “When the whole world including our country and State is adopting preventive measures then why Election Commission cannot postpone the elections.”
According to the students, they have a chapter on Election Commission and its Right. The Article 324 of Constitution gives right to EC to postpone the election if atmosphere is vitiated.
Puja said, “EC has the right to postpone or cancel elections in the entire country on ground if the atmosphere is vitiated and free and fair election is not possible.”
