The copy of the notification on Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly seat in Chennai falling vacant following the resignation of the ruling AIADMK MLA P. Vetrivel has been forwarded to the Election Commission.
“The EC has to take a decision on holding the by-election,” Sandeep Saxena, Chief Electoral Officer, told reporters on Monday.
On whether his office was well prepared for holding the by-election if the EC decides to fill the vacancy through election, Mr. Saxena said that it was too premature to say anything . The vacancy arose only on Sunday and the EC has to take the final decision.
Meanwhile, a former Chief Election Commissioner said: “If a vacancy arises, the EC is duty bound to holding election for the constituency. It may decide not to do it if there is a general election six month from the date the vacancy falls.” If elections to the Assembly were slated for May 2016 and a vacancy was created on November 22, 2015, the EC could decide not to hold elections. Otherwise it is bound to hold elections.
