'We always keep on giving fire test' - Why did the Chief Election Commissioner say this?

Election News: When asked about the possible date of Karnataka elections, Rajeev Kumar said that it is to be held before May 24, when the term of the current assembly ends.

The Election Commission has started preparations for the assembly elections to be held in Karnataka . Can the people of Karnataka trust the Election Commission to conduct free and fair elections? In response to this question, Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar said that even though people trust the election results, the Election Commission faces a 'fire test' every time after every election. Kumar said that the results are accepted after the elections and the change of power takes place through ballot paper every time.

Rajeev Kumar said, “For the last 70 years India has settled its social, cultural, political, geographical, economic and linguistic issues peacefully and through dialogue which is possible only because people trust the election results. Still, AGO gives 'Agni Pariksha' every time after every election."

Rajiv Kumar said that the Election Commission has recently completed its 400th State Assembly elections with the elections held in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland. The commission has also conducted 17 parliamentary elections and 16 presidential and vice presidential elections.

Elections may be held in Karnataka in early May

Talking about the Karnataka Assembly elections, Rajeev Kumar said that in a state with 224 constituencies, 36 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and 15 for Scheduled Tribes. He said that there are 5.21 crore voters out of which 2.59 are women voters. The CEC is in Karnataka with its team on a three-day tour to check the preparations for the assembly elections. The term of the 225-member Karnataka Assembly ends on May 24. Elections are expected to be held in Karnataka in early May.

Voters above 80 years will vote from home

The commission said that it has started vote-from-home facility for persons above 80 years of age and persons with disabilities in the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka. Rajiv Kumar said that for the first time the Election Commission is going to provide this facility to people above 80 years of age. He said, our team will go to such voters with Form-12D. However, we encourage people above 80 years of age and those who have not availed this facility to come to the polling booth.