EC examining govt report on reservation

New Delhi, Apr 10 (UNI) The Election Commission today said it is examining the reply sent by the Cabinet Secretary on the reservation issue.

Talking to newspersons at the conclusion of the second phase of Asom election, Deputy Election Commissioner and spokesman of the commission R Bhattacharya said they have received a detailed reply on Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh's announcement of reservation of a further 27 per cent seats in higher educational institutions to Other Backward Classes allegedly, violating the model code of conduct.

Replying to a question on the action to be taken by the Commission against the HRD Minister, Mr Bhattacharya said the EC is still examining the reply sent by the Cabinet Secretary.

Responding to another question, the EC spokesman said the Commission, after going through the entire election speech of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, has not come across any announcement of economic package of Rs 602 crore for the state's Karbi Anglong region.

About the second and last phase of Asom elections covering 63 assembly constituencies, Mr Bhattacharya said by and large the election was peaceful.

Despite inclement weather, the voter turnout was estimated at around 70 per cent and this is expected to go up further when the final figures will be made available, he added.

He, however, said there were three minor cases of violence but those were not at the polling stations and had no impact on the polling process.

The first incident took place at 91-92 Dipu assembly constituency under the Karbi Anglong where the head constable of CRPF was kidnapped at around five in the morning by the KLO militants.

The second incident took place at Bhokajam constituency where one CRPF jawan was injured when miscreants opened fire on a poll party and the CRPF jawans returned the fire. In another incident, two BSF jawans were injured following an Improvished Explosive Device (IED) blast.

Mr Bhattacharya denied CPI(M) allegations of being partisan in West Bengal, particularly regarding the raids conducted by the EC observers in Keshpur area.

The Commission maintains the highest decorum while taking any action and there was no bias from the EC,'' he said.

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