The Election Commission of India has decided to defer by-elections of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Khandwa in Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi Parliamentary constituencies. The EC has also deferred polls in eight Assembly Constituencies in various states.

This comes as India is battling deadly second wave of coronavirus, reporting over 3 lakh new infections everyday. 

Releasing a statement, the poll body said, ” The ECI has decided that due to outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19 in the country it would not be appropriate to hold bye-elections till the pandemic situation significantly improves and conditions become conducive to hold these bye-elections.” 

It added, “The Commission will take a decision in the matter at appropriate time in the future after taking inputs from the concerned states and assessing the pandemic situation from mandated authorities like NDMA/SDMA.”

The EC was rapped by Madras High Court late last month for conducting elections in four states and UT of Puducherry at the time of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. In stinging remarks, the court said that poll panel should be booked under murder charges too, reports PTI.