JOIN USTamil Nadu a challenging case, says CEC
“Can we be faulted for discharging our constitutional responsibilities sincerely and earnestly? Can we close our eyes to the rampant malpractices,” said Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi.
He was reacting to criticism by political parties in the state “for being over restrictive and for harassment.”
The commission has enforced stringent measures to curb use of money power in the current round of assembly elections in states, especially in Tamil Nadu, where there has been widespread attempts to bribe voters by paying them cash. Quraishi said officials have seized unauthorised cash of over Rs 53 crore in cash out of which Rs 42 crore is from Tamil Nadu alone.
Brushing aside the criticism from the two parties, he said that the poll panel is “not exceeding our powers. We are within our constitutional mandate. Any criticism is totally unfair and we dismiss it.”
DMK chief M Karunanidhi and his ally PMK founder S Ramadoss have attacked the commission saying an emergency like situation has been brought about in the state while such a situation is not prevalent in the other poll-bound states.
“Holding free and fair elections is always the top priority. We also seek to make the polls peaceful, transparent and participative,” said Quraishi
Quraishi had a meeting with political parties recently to inform them of the new guidelines so that there was no surprise and what was in the pipeline. In that meeting, the parties emphasised that the commission should take stringent measures to control money power.
Seeking the cooperation of all and to bear with the checking procedures in order to fight the menace of money power in elections, Quraishi said in fact, “we have been receiving enthusiastic response from the public”.
Strict enforcement of rules is not meant only for Tamil Nadu. The commission guidelines about model code of conduct including money control were in operation in all the five poll-bound states.
On West Bengal, he said law and order has been a challenge in the run up to the elections there but with some determined action, the commission has brought the situation under control.
Quraishi said so far the West Bengal government has not given us any occasion to complaint. “We do appreciate this and hope that the same spirit of fair play will be in evidence till the election process.”
On the commission’s effort to create a level-playing field, he said it has denied permission even to the prime minister’s election meeting at a school ground in Kerala. “For us all political parties and candidates are on the same footing,” he added.