India, Sept. 20 -- Rajasthan High Court on Saturday pulled up the state government over the delayed local body polls saying that the "State Election Commission (SEC) cannot be allowed to close its eyes and sit like a silent spectator" and the agency should take necessary steps to conduct the elections across the due local bodies immediately.

"In adherence to the importance of demarcation/divisions of the Municipalities, the Government is precluded from indefinitely postponing the election process of Municipalities, as such deferment is contrary to the mandate contained under Article 243U of the Indian Constitution. Both the Government of Rajasthan and the State Election Commission are under a constitutional obligation to conduct timely e...