'Returning officers alone can decide on nominations'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 21. Only the returning officers concerned can decide on accepting or rejecting the nomination of any candidate and the Election Commission cannot interfere in the process, the Chief Electoral Officer, Dr. Mrutyunjay Sarangi, said today.

At his first press conference since the election process began, Dr. Sarangi faced a barrage of questions from mediapersons generally on the nominations filed by the former Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalitha, at two places in the State, and specifically whether the ROs had been asked to follow the 1997 circular from the Election Commission.

The CEO categorically said no specific instructions had been given to any returning officer with regard to any nominee. ``Each RO has been given a copy of the Representation of the People Act, notifications and periodical circulars from the Election Commission and the returning officers will have to decide on each nomination after going through them. The RO will have to abide by them and decide taking into account every aspect.'' During scrutiny of nominations, the RO could give opportunity to a nominee/his or her representative and pass orders the same day and give a copy of the order passed on rejecting or accepting the nomination. Once the election process was set in motion, none could interfere and any decision could be challenged only after the process was over, he said.

On whether any special arrangements had been made in Krishnagiri and Andipatti on the day of the scrutiny, he said the RO would pass orders the same day, but no special arrangements had been made at any one area. Adequate security arrangements and protection had been provided in all the areas.

On whether the observation of a single judge of the Madras High Court would be binding on the Election Commission, he said, ``it is a question you will have to address to the Commission.'' Asked what would happen if one RO accepted Ms. Jayalalitha's nomination and another RO rejected the same in the two constituencies in which she had filed her papers, Dr. Sarangi said, ``I refuse to answer hypothetical questions.''

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