Itanagar, Sep 4 (PTI) The Arunachal Pradesh State Election Commission is in readiness to conduct the long- pending panchayat polls and awaiting the state government's nod to go ahead, a senior official said on Friday.

The SEC was prepared to hold the polls, pending since May 2018, in March-April this year, but the coronavirus lockdown caused inordinate delay, he said.

Also Read | Kangana Ranaut Responds to Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh's ‘Strict-Action’ Remark, Says 'From PoK to Taliban in One Day'.

"Keeping in mind the suggestions of all stakeholders, including representatives of political parties, state government officials and medical professionals, it was decided to conduct the elections only after the COVID-19 situation improves," State Election Commissioner Hage Kojeen said.

He said the SEC, in its recent internal meetings, has reviewed the pandemic scenario, and also taken into consideration the recent local civic body polls held in Mizoram.

Also Read | Huawei Enjoy 20 Plus, Enjoy 20 5G Smartphones With MediaTek Dimensity 720 SoC Launched; Prices, Features & Specifications.

"The SEC has come up with standard operating procedures in tune with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India for conducting panchayat polls in Arunachal Pradesh," Kojeen said.

The proposed schedule for the polls has been put forth to the state government along with the COVID-19 SOPs, he said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)