News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Election » Zero tolerance for poll code violation, says Chawla

Zero tolerance for poll code violation, says Chawla

By K Anurag in Guwahati
March 24, 2009 20:43 IST
Get Rediff News in your Inbox:

Election Commissioner Navin Chawla said on Tuesday that there would be 'zero tolerance' to violation of poll code of conduct and all poling officials had been instructed accordingly.

After reviewing the poll process in Assam and Meghalaya following meeting with election officials, police officials and other senior officials besides talking to all the political parties separately in both the states, Chawla said the EC would ensure that there would be sufficient forces in both the states to ensure 'free, fair and transparent' polling.

Chawla allayed apprehension aired by some political parties in Assam about possibility of tampering of electronic voting machines in case those were allowed to be handled by Assam Electronic Development Corporation, an Assam government undertaking.

"I assure all the political parties that EVMs are tamper proof and I will like to set at rest any doubt in minds of any political parties in this regard. EVMs are allowed to be handled and serviced by only Electronic Corporation of India Limited, a Public Sector Undertaking and AMTRON doesn't come to the picture in anyway."

He also informed that micro observers, who are central government employees, would be deployed in all polling stations under the supervision of Central Election Observers to ensure free and fair polls. All these micro observers will have direct access with EC officials through mobile phones in case something goes wrong on the polling day.

All the district magistrates and district police superintendents in Assam and Meghalaya have been asked by the EC to arrange for as many video cameras as possible to record the movements of poll candidates. "Those tapes will be kept in safe custody for examination in case of poll related complaints," Chawla said.

He said poll observers at liberty to film the proceedings if required in case of all sensitive and hyper sensitive poling stations in both the states.

Get Rediff News in your Inbox:
K Anurag in Guwahati