Date:20/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/20/stories/2008052059620600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

CEO warns parties of stern action for malpractices

This is not business as usual, Chief Electoral Officer tells political parties

— PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Talking tough: Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao addressing a ‘Meet the press’ in Hyderabad on Monday.

HYDERABAD: Chief Electoral Officer I.V. Subba Rao said here on Monday that the Election Commission would deal sternly with anyone flouting the code of conduct and cautioned political parties against indulging in malpractices in the byelections.

The EC had already deputed 50 observers to monitor the election expenditure of candidates in each of the four Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly constituencies and “you will see the action that will be initiated into the complaints of distribution of liquor and money to voters. Political parties should remember that this is not business as usual,” he said.

‘Mock polling’

Participating in a Meet-The-Press programme organised by the Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists’ Federation here on Monday, he said that it was decided to nominate micro level observers at the polling booth level for constant flow of information on the polling day.

“Mock polling” would be conducted half an hour before the actual polling commences to ensure that there was no problem with the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

The measure was taken to avoid scope for complaints that the EVMs were pre-programmed to benefit a particular political party.

Strict instructions

Presiding officers had been strictly instructed not to enter the ballot area and stringent action would be initiated against those who pressed the buttons on EVMs on the pretext of explaining the process to voters.

Replying to queries, he said the EC would view the complaints on the promises made by the Chief Minister and Ministers on a case by case basis.

The issue was already before the Commission as announcement of policy decisions applicable throughout the State would amount to influencing the electorate in the districts going to the polls. To a question, he said his office had forwarded to the EC the complaints lodged by the Telugu Desam Party about violation of the model code of conduct after verification by field officers.