People's Democracy

DELHI

Postpone Okhla By-Elections

THE Delhi state committee of CPI(M), protesting against the decision of the Election Commission to hold by-elections to the Okhla assembly constituency on September 15 which falls within the month of Ramzan has submitted a letter to the chief election commissioner on August 19, 2009.

The Okhla constituency has a large number of voters belonging to the Muslim minority. Holding election in this period will impact adversely on the participation of Muslim candidates/voters in the campaign and polling. This will amount to a serious infringement of their democratic rights and is not in the best interests of free and fair elections that the Election Commission seeks to promote

The CPI(M) has therefore demanded that the Election Commission rescind its decision to hold by-elections to the Okhla Assembly seat on September 15 and postpone them at least to the end of September.