Come August, and leaders in jail can’t contest polls

With the government yet to take a final call on whether to file a review petition or to amend the law to reverse the Supreme Court judgment banning those in custody from contesting elections, the verdict will be implemented for the first time during the byelections for two Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka next month.

With the government yet to take a final call on whether to file a review petition or to amend the law to reverse the Supreme Court judgment banning those in custody from contesting elections, the verdict will be implemented for the first time during the byelections for two Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka next month.

The Supreme Court, in twin judgments on July 11, had ruled that MPs/MLAs will be immediately disqualified in case they are convicted by a court of law and those in lawful custody —whether police or judicial — will be banned from contesting elections.

The judgments had created a political storm in the country and some parties had asked the government to seek a review of the judgment which banned those in custody from contesting polls.

The government had also made it displeasure public with the judgments and had stated that it would consult all major parties before deciding its next step In this scenario, the Election Commission is left with no possibility other than to implement the Supreme Court verdict for the byelections to be held on August 21.