Petition in SC seeks in keep CEC away from Guj Assembly polls

New Delhi, Oct 12 (UNI) A petition was filed in the Supreme Court today seeking directions to the Union government not to allow Chief Election Commissioner(CEC) N Gopalaswamy to oversee forthcoming Assembly elections in Gujarat.

The petition, filed by Gujrat Mukti Wahini through its president Manzoor Ali Khan, also prayed to the court to direct the Union Government and the Election Comission to ensure free and fair Assembly elections in Gujarat scheduled to be held on December 11 and December 16 without any interference by the Chief Election Commissioner.

According to the petitioner, Mr Gopalaswamy is an IAS officer of Gujarat cadre and was very close and friendly with state Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Mr Gopalaswamy had held several important posts in the state before being appointed as CEC and under his supervision and control, free and fair elections were not possible in Gujarat, the petitioner contended.

UNI