Situation conducive to polls: EC

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, DEC. 28. The Election Commissioner, Mr. T.N. Krishnamurthy, has said that a conducive situation prevails in the State for holding Assembly elections.

Participating in a Meet-the-Press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here today, Mr. Krishnamurthy said the Election Commission was thinking of holding simultaneous poll in Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Assam and West Bengal along with Kerala. This could happen ``any time after March'' next year, he said.

To a query whether the commission has thoughts of any tentative dates, the Election Commissioner said, "there will be no elections in February. The dates should be reasonably obvious. It will be any time after March". The commission will take a decision on the poll schedule for the five States soon.

Mr. Krishnamurthy, who was here to assess "ground realities" in view of the ensuing elections in the State, said the Commission would initiate stringent action against genuine complaints regarding lapses in the conduct of elections. "We will provide the machinery and take necessary steps to ensure peaceful polling in the State."

To a question, Mr. Krishnamurthy said photo identity cards would be made mandatory for voters in the ensuing Assembly elections in the State. The identity card being issued by the EC could be used by other agencies for identifying purposes.

On the reported proposal mooted by the Election Commission

making it mandatory for political parties to select women against

at least one-third of all seats contested by them in Lok Sabha and Assemblies, Mr. Krishnamurthy said the Commission had not taken an official view on it so far.

"The Election Commission is concerned about the conduct of elections. We discussed the women's reservation issue with political parties at a meeting, but there is no consensus among the parties. It will be good if more women come forward and get elected to the Parliament. We will debate it among ourselves and take a decision if the job is entrusted to us", he added.

On the steps taken to prevent criminals from contesting the election, Mr. Krishnamurthy said the EC had made recommendations to the Government in this regard. Those who receive chargesheet from a competent court for an offence punishable for six months and above should be debarred from contesting elections. The EC had also made suggestions to prevent its misuse, he added.

The Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. P.J. Thomas, was also present.

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