Will come down heavily in cases of partiality or inaction: CEC

In a strict warning to officials, Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath Sunday said it will "come down heavily" on them in cases of "partiality", "partisan conduct" or "inaction.

Addressing the media after the full bench of the commission held a series of meetings with the political parties, bureaucrats, police officers and income tax officials in West Bengal, Sampath said officials have been asked to take serious view of breach of the Model Code of Conduct in force for the polls.

"The commission made it very clear it will come down heavily on any official at any level if there are cases of partiality, partisan contact or inaction," he said.

Sampath's warnings followed repeated allegations from the opposition parties that the administrative and police officials in various districts were "partisan" and catering to the dictates of the ruling Trinamool Congress.

The opposition parties have also accused the state chief electoral officer Sunil Gupta and his department of "inaction" in dealing with their complaints.

"Complaints regarding violations of the model code of conduct should be viewed seriously, and attended promptly. Within the quickest possible time results should be shown. That would have a deterrence effect," Sampath said.