Azad assures free and fair by-election in J

Jammu Mar 31(UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today assured the state state legislature assembly that by-election in all the four contituencies including Bhaderwah, slated to be on April 24, will be held in a free and fair manner.

Mr Azad sought to dispel to apprehensions about misuse of government machinery in the upcoming election and warned that officials indulging in rigging, booth capturing and hindering the election process will be dealt with strictly.

''We will not wait for the Election Commission to act on any kind of irregularities in the elections . The government will take decision on its own to deal with such officers and might even dismiss them from service.

''I have assured Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of the government's commitment towards holding the by-election in a free and fair manner,'' he said.

Describing the 2002 election in the state during the NDA government in centre as the cleanest and the fairest election so far, Mr Azad said his coalition government in the state will now ensure better a performance. All senior police officers including Director-General of police would be issued necessary intructions .

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