Gyanesh Kumar and other Election Commission officials were due to travel on October 7 and 8; a new date will be announced separately.
A two-day visit to Chhattisgarh by India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and several senior Election Commission of India officials has been postponed for “unavoidable reasons,” according to a government order issued on Tuesday, October 6.
Kumar and the other commission officials were due to travel from Delhi on October 7 for a two-day visit. A letter from the office of Chhattisgarh’s Chief Electoral Officer said a revised date would be communicated separately once received from the commission. No new date was specified.
Kumar had been declared a State Guest for the trip, and officials had been instructed to make the necessary protocol arrangements. The Hindu reported that his itinerary included visits to the Danteshwari temple in Dantewada, the Bhoramdeo temple in Kabirdham district and Chitrakoot waterfall in Bastar district.
The postponement comes as Kumar faces criticism over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The order gave no reason beyond “unavoidable reasons.” The Indian Express also confirmed that the visit planned for October 7 and 8 had been postponed.