Bhopal, Aug 13: Defying the Election Commission's advice, Madhya Pradesh government today ordered formation of three new districts ahead of state assembly polls later this year.
"Notification for carving out three districts of Ashok Nagar, Burhanpur and Anuppur was issued this evening. The new districts will formally start functioning from August 15," senior state government officials told the reporters here.

The decision comes barely two days after the EC's letter to state chief secretary saying "any reorganisation of the districts so as to create new ones at this late juncture would seriously hamper the working of the commission and the election machinery in the field." However, official sources said the difficulties cited by EC with regard to setting up of polling stations and appointment of polling parties have been already addressed.

In New Delhi, EC sources said the state government had sought the commission's opinion on the creation of the districts and should have waited for the same.

They said the state chief secretary had written to the commission yesterday on receipt of EC's advisory stating that the government cannot go back on the move to carve out new districts as notification for printing had already been sent. In the light of today's decision by Madhya Pradesh government, the EC will examine the implications (of the state government's decision) and take suitable action, commission sources said.

Bureau Report