Wednesday, April 2, 2014

75 complaints of code violations received thus far

SKM COMPLAINT AGAINST CHAMLING FORWARDED TO ECI

GANGTOK, 01 Apr: The complaint against the caretaker Chief Minister, SDF party president Chief Minister, of allegedly enticing voters to press on the symbol of the Umbrella has been forwarded to the Election Commission of India. Not just the complaint, but together with it the report of the concerned Returning Officer on the matter, has been forwarded to the ECI for its observation and decision by the Chief Electoral Office here.
As stated by the Chief Electoral Officer, D Anandan, the report was forwarded to the ECI a few days back. There has been no communication as yet from the ECI on the matter but the Commission’s observations are expected shortly.
The complaint made by the SKM through its Lok Sabha candidate, TN Dhakal, also demands that the election symbol of the SDF party be changed.
It was stated by the CEO that as soon as they received the complaint the same was forwarded to the concerned Returning Officer, in this case, the DC-South. As per procedure the RO conducted a fact finding on the matter and on the basis of this, compiled a report which was then forwarded to the Election Department. This report, as the CEO states, is confidential with not even the complaining party allowed a peep into its contents. The report is now with the ECI.
The complaint relates to a speech supposedly made by Mr. Chamling in Melli a few days back in which he purportedly urged the gathering to press the button which had the symbol of the Umbrella on its which would be followed by an acknowledging beep indicating that the vote had been registered. This, the SKM alleges, is a violation of the model code and has demanded the change of the SDF party symbol.
Meanwhile, as of 31 March, the Election Department had received approximately 75 complaints alleging violations of the model code of conduct. These complaints were mostly made either by the SDF or by the SKM. These miscellaneous complaints, as they are termed, were all looked into and action taken reports compiled by the concerned ROs. Most of the complaints are regarding small acts of violence and assaults, threats, verbal abuse during speeches by candidates and also complaints of distribution of meat to the people. The Election Observers too have been scouting the districts under their jurisdiction as soon as they receive a complaint.
The CEO informs that the Election Department is looking into all complaints that it receives in order to ensure a free, fair and transparent polling process. The complaints are forwarded to the concerned ROs or Sector Magistrates who then conduct a fact finding and report back. While all reports have been and are being received by the election department, till date there has not been any verification of any complaint made by any party, it is informed.

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