PANAJI
Hailing the HC verdict, former SEC Prabhakar Timble said the order by the High Court was on expected lines. On noticing that reservations were not in order, the HC provided opportunity to the State Election Commissioner to act within its inherent power. As SEC pleaded inability, there was no alternative except to intervene and direct for fresh notification and accordingly rescheduling elections to Municipal Councils, he said.
This judgement exposes the political interference of the BJP government in reservations. It also exposes that not only the DMA but also a statutory and autonomous body like the SEC was a pawn in the hands of the ruling party. It is clear that SEC is a caged parrot, said Timble.
“If the same SEC continues, people and stakeholders will not repose confidence in the election process. This SEC should not continue in office in the interests of free, fair and just elections to local self-governing bodies.”
