EC Postpones Biennial Election For UP Legislative Council Till After Assembly Polls

The decision has been taken after a request from the political parties citing that managing two electoral processes simultaneously can cause confusion among the party workers as well as voters. 

New Delhi: The Election Commission (EC) on Sunday rescheduled the biennial elections for the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council till after the assembly elections are over after a request from the political parties. Now, the electoral process for the bye-elections will begin from March 15. 

According to a notification issued by the EC on February 6, the elections that were scheduled for the 36 constituencies in two phases have been put on hold. The notification for nominations for the first phase released on February 4 has also been suspended until March 15.

As per the EC notification, the legislative council elections were supposed to be held on March 3 and 7. The first phase would have had 29 constituencies and the second phase would have had six constituencies. The sitting MLCs on these 36 seats are due to end their term on March 7.

The decision has been taken after a request from the political parties citing that managing two electoral processes simultaneously can cause confusion among the party workers as well as voters. 

“The Political Parties have, inter-alia, mentioned about difficulties in simultaneously carrying out their election management matters in the two elections viz. General Elections to Uttar Pradesh State Legislative Assembly and Biennial election to Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council. They have mentioned that two elections of different nature may create confusion among the party workers and electors at large,” said the EC notice.

“They have also brought to the notice that the electors in MLC elections are party representatives who are actively engaged in the ongoing General Elections. For ensuring active participation of political parties in MLC elections, they have urged the Commission to re-schedule these MLC elections after the completion of General Elections to Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly,” it added.

Now the nominations for the bye-elections will be filed from March 15 to 19, and they will include the nomination filed on February 4 and 5. March 21 will be the date for scrutiny of nominations. 

The last date for withdrawal of nominations will be 23 and polling will take place on April 9. The results of the bye-election will be declared on April 12. The electoral process of these elections shall be completed before April 16, 2022.