Bombay HC Cancels EC Order For Ponda Byelection

The Bombay High Court declared the Election Commission’s notification for the Ponda Assembly byelection null and void, canceling the April 9 poll. Petitioners argued a byelection isn’t mandatory with under one year left in the Assembly’s term. The byelection followed former minister Ravi Naik’s death. The court reserved its order after hearing both sides.