NEW DELHI: Parliament gave its approval for holding parliamentary elections in Assam after the upper house (Rajya Sabha) passed a bill replacing a presidential ordinance excluding the state in the recent general elections.

The representation of the people (amendment) bill, 1989 was adopted by a voice vote after the reply by law and justice minister Dinesh Goswami following a brief discussion. The bill has already been passed by the Lok Sabha.

Goswami said his government would not try to “exercise any influence” on the election commission in regard to holding elections in the state as the commission had the “full right” in all electoral matters.

Article extracted from this publication >> January 5, 1990