Ensure fair polls: EC

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, APRIL. 16. As the nominations began today for the May 10 Assembly polls in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and the Union Territory of Pondicherry, the Election Commission asked the political parties to work towards holding a free and fair poll.

Expressing a serious concern over the prevailing situation in Darjeeling in West Bengal where an indefinite general strike was in progress, the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr. M.S. Gill, said candidates were finding it difficult to take part in the poll process.

After the meeting of the full Commission, Dr. Gill said the Commission was determined to have a free and fair poll in West Bengal. He appealed to all the political parties to cooperate with the Commission. The Chief Electoral Officer had been asked to review the arrangements and report to the Commission.

The Commission's meeting was attended by the two colleagues of the CEC, the Election Commissioners, Mr. J.M. Lyngdoh and Mr. T.S. Krishnamurty.

The poll panel also decided to appoint an additional poll observer in Kasargode, Kannur and Kozhikode districts of Kerala which have reported violence in the recent past. The Congress had also demanded deployment of enough paramilitary forces in the three districts to ensure peaceful polling.

Dr. Gill said he had requested the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka to provide security forces for the coming elections. The Commission was likely to review the security scenario in the five States tomorrow at a meeting with Home Ministry officials.

In a related development, the Kerala Government has moved out 80 returning officers and assistant returning officers from their postings in respective home districts in accordance with a directive of the Commission.

The Commission has also notified Lok Sabha byelections in Midnapur, Tiruchi and Shahjahanpur.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : Meetings fail to resolve parliamentary deadlock
Next     : BALCO talks fail, Jogi blamed