All-part meet to discuss Piravom by-poll date today

Tuesday, February 21, 2012: The State Election Commission has called for an all-party meeting today to discuss on the UDF’s request to advance the Piravom by-poll to March 17, a day ahead of the scheduled March 18 date.
This was informed by Chief Electoral Officer Nalini Netto while addressing the press persons here on Tuesday evening. The UDF had requested EC to change the poll date as it would be difficult for many voters to go to the polling stations on a Sunday due to the religious significance of that day.
The by-poll will be the first major trial for the Congress ministry after it rode to power with a wafer-thin margin of 72 seats in the 140-member house in May last year.
The election was necessitated following the death of Kerala Congress (J) leader T M Jacob, who was food minister in the Chandy cabinet. Jacob’s death in October had reduced the elected strength of the UDF in the assembly to 71, including the Speaker, against 68 seats held by the CPI(M)-led LDF opposition.