UP election dates'likely to be announced in Jan

Lucknow, Nov 23: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswamy today hinted that the dates for the Uttar Pradesh assembly poll could be announced in January 2007.

''The Commission has the sole prerogative to announce the poll dates. Any suggestion in this regard from the Uttar Pradesh government is meaningless,'' he observed.

Addressing a news conference here after winding up his two-day UP visit to review the election process, Mr Gopalaswamy said the poll dates might be announced after publication of the electoral rolls, slated on January 3.

Although non-committal on the possible election dates, he said the Commission was constitutionally bound to held the polls before May 14, when the term of the present assembly expires.

''I would be held for contempt of constitution if the election is not held before expiry of the assembly tenure. At present, our primary concern is the completion of the voters list,'' he added.

The CEC said he would discuss with the other two commissioners his meetings with political parties and officials during his Lucknow visit.

He also refused comment on the law and order situation, saying the commission did not review this issue.

Commenting on Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav's letter to the EC for holding the polls in February, Mr Gopalaswamy said the EC has the sole power to conduct the polls.

''On earlier occasions, such requests had come from Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, but were not considered,'' he disclosed.

''The EC is committed to holding free and fair polls in UP and the dates and number of phases would be announced after considering availability of central forces, observers and related aspects,'' he said.

Satisfised with the voters list and Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) process, the CEC hinted that still a lot had to be done as against the total inclusion of 49.45 lakh new voters, objections have been received against 10.61 lakh voters.

Referring to his discussion with the political parties, Mr Gopalaswamy said while some wanted the elections to be held between mid-February and mid-March, others wanted EC to consider exams, Ardh Kumbh and Holi before deciding on the dates. ''Holding polls in any state is the greatest challenge for the EC and UP's poll will be at par with the arrangements made by the commission in Bihar and West Bengal,'' the CEC said.

He said the representatives of political parties had also urged the CEC to publicise EPIC so that electorate can have their cards.

The CEC disclosed at present the total voters in UP are 11.48 crore with 6.25 crore males and 5.23 crore female. A total of 67 per cent of total voters have been covered with EPIC.

Earlier in the day, all opposition parties had urged the Election Commission (EC) to hold the assembly polls in UP under central police forces with direct monitoring by the Commission.

The parties, however, said they are ready for the polls anytime.

They also ''authorised'' the CEC to fix the dates for assembly polls.

CM and Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav has already written to the Commission, seeking polls in February 2007.

''Free and fair UP polls are not possible under the Mulayam regime as it was seen during the just concluded civic poll,'' was a common stand of the opposition during their meeting with CEC.

The BSP and BJP had demanded holding of polls under President's rule, but the Congress said the polls should be held on the 'Bihar Formula' in several phase under strict supervision of the EC and central forces.

Mr Gopalaswamy, along with Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan held meeting with the representatives of eight recognised political parties in the view of the assembly polls.

UNI