We have done our bit in Varun case, says CEC

Addressing media persons on Tuesday he said that the Election Commission had not passed any orders in the matter but had only issued an advisory.

He said that he did not wish to comment on whether the tapes were doctored or not but added that the decision was taken after viewing the tapes thoroughly.

On the decision of the Bharatiya Janata Party to field Varun Gandhi as a candidate despite the advisory, Gopalswami said that the EC had done their duty and now it is up to the responsible persons to ponder over the matter.

When some members of the media tried advising the CEC on the matter, he shot back, saying, "Don't impose yours views on me."

On criminal candidates, the CEC said that since the past ten years they had been raising this issue.

Yeddyurappa in the dock

The CEC also took exception to a speech made by Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa. The complaint before the EC was that the CM had made a public speech at Hubli after 10 pm which is against the norms of the model code of conduct.

The CEC said that prima facie it appears that the CM has erred. "We have told the chief electoral officer of the state to prepare a report following which suitable action will be taken," Gopalaswami said.

The CEC also said that he had received several complaints regarding bogus voters in Karnataka. "Cases are being registered in this regard," he said.

"Iillegal money of Rs 10 lakh, vehicles worth Rs 37 lakh and 305 cases of liquor being used illegally for the election process had been seized," the CEC informed.

"All electoral officers in all the states have been directed to keep a strict vigil as the nation gears up for the 2009 general elections," Gopalaswami added.