EC wants prompt action against cases of poll code violations

The Election Commission today directed district magistrates and police officers to initiate prompt action against reports of poll code violations, following political parties' complaints of slow response.

"Political parties also complained that officers are not taking action with regard to major poll code violations. One party brought to the notice a case in which a minister was asking the electorate to take oath on Quran... such kind of thing," Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) V S Sampath told reporters here today, after a meeting with representatives of political parties.

Regarding the violations of the Model Code of Conduct, district magistrates were asked to take quick remedial action.

"...If the prompt action is not taken, the aim of the MCC wil be lost," the CEC said, adding that "even in the case referred to by a political party, we have asked the DM to submit a report to the Chief Electoral Officer immediately".

"We expect a report within 24 hours at the Commission. On the receipt of the report, we take further action," he added.

"Officers should not act partially. They should be impartial... Some parties said that the complaint redressal mechanism was not working satisfactorily," the CEC said. He, however, praised the efforts of Election department in making arrangement with regard to overall poll measures.

Regarding security and emergency plan, he said the poll authorities are prepared for any contingency. The Chief Election Commissioner, along with Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi and Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi, today visited Jammu and Kashmir.

The commissioners started their visit with the meeting with the representatives of recognised national and state political parties.

Then they held a series of meetings with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Special DGP and Home Commissioner.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Umang Narula was also present in the meetings. They also held a detailed meeting with the Returning Officers/DEOs and SSPs regarding poll preparedness.