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| Turnout not our concern: EC | | Hazratbal countermand correct decision, fresh notification Monday | |
Early Times Report
Srinagar, May 1: Election Commissioner of India Dr. S. Y. Quraishi Friday said that political parties in Jammu and Kashmir have appreciated the election machinery for conduct of free, fair and transparent elections in the State. He exuded confidence that polling in the next two phases will be peaceful as it has been in the first three phases of elections.
The Election Commissioner said this while addressing a crowded press conference at SKICC, here this afternoon. Mr. S. K. Mendiratta, Legal Advisor, Election Commission and Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Mr. B. R. Sharma were present on the occasion.
Quraishi arrived here this morning from New Delhi to review the poll preparedness for the fourth and fifth phases of Lok Sabha elections in the State.
Addressing the media persons, the Election Commissioner said that separate meetings were held with representatives of 10 national and regional political parties who appreciated the role of election machinery in conduct of free and fair polls during the first three phases. He said some political parties raised the issue of providing security to political activists for their free movement. “Demands of relocation of two to three polling stations to facilitate voters was also raised by them, of which we have taken note”, Dr. Quraishi said, adding that conduct of free and fair poll is the real concern of the Election Commission. “We want the electors to vote freely without any fear or intimidation”, he added.
The Election Commissioner said that during his meeting with the officers of civil and police administration, he reiterated conduct of mock poll in presence of polling agents, putting communication plan in place for retrieving real time information as well as having a proper transport plan. “The Election Commission has started a process of deploying Micro Observers and videography to monitor election process to prevent malpractices”, he said, adding strict instructions have been issued for adhering to the Model Code.
On being asked about the countermanding of bye-election for Hazratbal Assembly constituency, Dr. Quraishi said that Election Commission has no powers to overrule Returning Officer’s decision to accept nomination papers and the decision to countermand the bye-election was a legally-correct one. He said the Returning officer, who had wrongly accepted nomination papers of one particular candidate, has been suspended. “After the countermanding of bye-election, poll process has to be started afresh. Notification for Hazratbal Assembly bye-poll will be issued on Monday and polling in the constituency will be held on May 30”, he disclosed.
On the issue of EVM malfunctioning, the Election Commissioner said that instructions have been issued for replacing these within half-an-hour in case of malfunction. “In far off places, a standby machine will be kept at polling booth to ensure that polling is not stalled”, he said.
The Election Commissioner said that the EC lays great stress on adhering to the Model Code of Conduct and urged the fourth estate to bring any violation in its notice. “Media is an ally and reaches where our eyes don’t. The EC takes suo moto action after reading newspapers or watching television in case of any violation of the electoral process”, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Electoral Officer said that counting of votes for Srinagar Parliamentary constituency will be held at Sangarmal Complex of Srinagar Development Authority. “Counting Centre at SKICC is not available due to a prior commitment. The alternate site has been inspected by the Observers and the proposal has been sent to the Election Commission for its approval”, he said.
In reply to a question, the CEO said that updating electoral rolls is an ongoing process and booth-level agent sits with booth-level officer to further make the revision process more transparent”.
Earlier, Dr. Quraishi held meeting with the Chief Secretary, Mr. S. S. Kapur, Financial Commissioner, Home, Mr. Samuel Verghese and DGP, Mr. Kuldeep Khoda and discussed with them poll arrangements being made for the final two phases of the elections in the State.
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