The Indian Electoral Commission (ECI) has decided to suspend the biennial elections to fill the vacancies on the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council resulting from the resignation of three members from the MLA quota on May 31st due to COVID 19 pandemic. According to a press release from State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K. Vijayanand.
“Under Section 16 of the Representation of People Act 1951, seats on Legislative Councils that become vacant after the members’ term of office have expired must be filled before the retirement date of the seated MLCs, but the ECI decided to vote because of the second wave of the pandemic not to be held, ”he said.
The ECI will hold the elections in consultation with the state government and the state civil protection agency after conditions improve, he added.