HC asks SEC why it can't complete local body polls by Aug end

Asking the State Election Commission why it could not complete local body polls by end of August, Madras High Court today said it would pass orders by July 26 on a batch of petitions and an appeal by SEC on the elections.

"Why can't you try to complete the election process by the end of August," the first bench, comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar asked counsel for SEC.

When the matter came up before the first bench, SEC's counsel submitted that they are ready with the Photo Electoral Rolls, but it is very difficult and impractical to implement some directions issued by single judge by the end of August.

"It is for the bench to decide on the directions which have to be implemented and which need not be, and then the Commission will be able to decide the future course of action," the court said.

Nine directions were issued by Justice Kirubakaran while cancelling the election notification dated September 26 2016, citing non-compliance with the Tamil Nadu panchayat (Elections) Rules, 1995.

As a consequence, the election schedule for October 2016 stood cancelled.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)