New Delhi: The Election Commission on Friday said it will send a team to Hyderabad next week to assess poll preparedness in Telangana, where the Assembly was dissolved on Thursday following the ruling party's request for early elections.
Senior deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha will head the team, which will "assess the situation in the state regarding poll preparedness", the poll watchdog said in a statement. The team will reach the state on September 11.
The state cabinet had on Thursday recommended dissolution of the Assembly. Its term was to otherwise end in June, 2019. Earlier in the day, ahead of the full meeting of the commission, Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat appeared to hint at the possibility of holding Assembly elections in Telangana along with the polls due in four other states in December this year.
However, he said it could be difficult if more states decide to go for early polls.
“The Supreme Court has ruled clearly that in case of the House dissolution, polls should be held on the first occasion because caretaker governments cannot continue and get the advantage. You cannot dissolve the House and continue for six months as a caretaker government," Rawat told media hours before the commission's meeting on the demand for early election following dissolution of the Telangana Assembly on Thursday.
"Elections have to be held as soon as possible. A decision will be taken keeping in mind various court rulings on the issue and prevailing ground reality," the CEC said adding that the commission holds poll within the legal framework to ensure they are free, fair and credible.
Assembly elections are due in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram later this year.
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