Grim flood situation prevented announcement of polls along with Himachal: CEC

New Delhi, Oct 25: The Election Commission on Wednesday clarified that grim flood situation in Gujarat and the ongoing flood relief work were key factors behind the delay in announcing the poll schedule of Gujarat. Replying to a volley of questions by mediapersons as to why the EC had not announced simultaneous Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat as the delay saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing some big ticket projects in Gujarat, Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti said that seven districts of Gujarat were reeling under the impact of severe floods which had caused loss of 229 lives. The CEC said that flood relief work, restoration of badly damaged roads and compensation to farmers were part of relief and rehabilitation operations which were going on in full swing in the affected areas. He said that Gujarat Chief Secretary had written to the Commission on September 22 and October 2, seeking more time to complete the flood relief work. When it was pointed out that the Relief Commissioner had not sought more time, the CEC replied that the Commission considered the Chief Secretary's communication as the official and authoritative one. He said that employees of city corporation bodies, panchayat and district administration could not be drafted for poll duties earlier as they were engaged in carrying out flood relief work. The EC had announced assembly poll schedule for Himachal Pradesh on October 12, indicating that elections in Gujarat would be held before December 18, the day of counting of votes in both the States. UNI