Jaipur: PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasra Tuesday questioned the State Election Commission’s decision to postpone chairperson elections in Khatu Shyamji and Srivijaynagar municipal councils, asking whether the extension of polling and later deferment were in line with election rules.Dotasra questioned the delay in declaration of results despite polling concluding late Monday night. He also sought to know under what provision the polling period was extended and elections postponed after ballot boxes were sealed.“How long will BJP, rattled by its defeat in Khatu Shyamji, keep delaying election results? Are you not acting as pro-BJP?” Dotasra said in a post. He alleged that polling deadline was repeatedly extended at the state govt’s behest and that the election was eventually postponed after ballot boxes were sealed.Under Rule 52 of Rajasthan Municipalities (Election) Rules, 1994, the poll panel can, for sufficient cause recorded in writing, postpone the date or extend the period fixed for polling in an emergency. Rules 53 and 54 deal with adjournment of poll and procedure for recommencing an adjourned poll.In Khatu Shyamji, the election was postponed after Congress councillor Laxmi Devi of Ward 10 did not turn up to vote. Returning officer Kapil Upadhyay said ballot boxes were sealed following directions from the State Election Commission as the polling process could not be completed. Elections for chairperson and vice-chairperson were postponed until further orders.TOI contacted SEC commissioner Rajeswar Singh for comment but received no response.Dotasra questioned the rationale for withholding results if polling was complete. “If election process has already been completed, why the delay in announcing results?” he asked, alleging that the process was being prolonged “just for a single vote”.He also asked whether extending polling deadline and then postponing elections met the test of Rule 52, which requires sufficient cause to be recorded in writing for postponing polling or extending the polling period.
