Date:11/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/11/stories/2007121158140100.htm

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Plea against Modi under study: CEC

Manas Dasgupta

AHMEDABAD: As Gujarat gets set for the first phase of polling in 87 Assembly constituencies on Tuesday, Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami said here on Monday that the Commission was still examining the legal implications of the reply of Chief Minister Narendra Modi on the complaint against him in the Sohrabuddin alleged fake encounter case.

Talking to journalists after a two-day visit to the State to oversee the final arrangements for the polling, Mr. Gopalaswami did not indicate when a decision could be expected. “You will be the first to know when a decision is taken,” he said when a reporter pressed for a firm date.

Mr. Gopalaswami denied that there was any delay in issuing notice to Congress president Sonia Gandhi for her “maut ke saudagar” speech. He said the Commission had been receiving complaints against Ms. Gandhi from various quarters of the BJP since December 2. But the written complaint, substantiating the claim of Ms. Gandhi violating the model code of conduct, which was found “eligible for admission,” was received only on December 6 after which the notice was issued to the Congress president.

He refuted a report in a section of the press about any division among the three full members of the Commission in deferring a decision on the complaint against Mr. Modi. The decision was taken “unanimously” as it required a detailed examination. It was delayed by a day on Saturday, and since the Commission members left for the visit to the State on Sunday, a decision could not be taken so far.

Navin Chawla, Election Commissioner, pointed out that “cumulatively we have been to Gujarat seven times and done our best to ensure that there shall be a level playing field.” The Commissioners had interacted with the political parties, the observers and the district officials. “I am sure,” he said, “that the district officials will give an exemplary account of themselves.” He appealed to all political parties and personages to desist from playing the communal and caste cards and from being divisive.

14 kinds of documents

Mr. Gopalaswami specified 14 kinds of documents of identification that would be accepted as alternatives to the EPIC (Elector’s Photo Identity Card). These documents would include passports, public sector bank passbooks and driving licences. Mr. Chawla added that they would include NREG cards and OBC, SC and ST certificates with or without photographs.