EC decides against cancelling Rajya Sabha polls in Karnataka

Election Commission has decided not to cancel Rajya Sabha polls in Karnataka saying sting videos of private TV channels do not present enough evidence to support the charges of use of money power. The poll to four seats from Karnataka is scheduled to be held on 11th of this month.

In its order, the Commission said that after going through the reports, its has found that in the present case, there is no evidence, nor even an allegation, that any money has in fact been paid or received to any elector as bribe for his vote.

The Commission also made it clear that under the existing law it can not disqualify a contesting candidate or prevent him from contesting the election, nor can it prevent an elector from casting his vote as is being demanded by some of the parties.

class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">The EC order said the Commission at the same time "cannot ignore to take cognisance of certain illegal activities" as appeared in media including the TV channels.

Therefore, the Commission holds that an FIR be lodged against MLA Mallikarjuna Khuba and others involved for seeking bribe for the vote and whole matter be entrusted to the CBI for such deeper probe so that all those who may be involved in such nefarious activities are exposed and duly punished under the Law.

The seven-page order came hours after Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and Election Commissioner AK Joti met in New Delhi for three hours to decide on the elections to be held on June 11.