CPI(M) criticises EC Observer's action

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 07 (UNI) CPI(M) Kerala unit secretary Pinarayi Vijayan today criticised the steps taken by the Election Commission observer during the Thiruvambadi Assembly by-poll, saying that things should not move as ''if the commission was above the law of the land''.

Talking to mediapersons here, he alleged that it looked, as if, the Commission was heading towards autocratic tendencies, while reacting to the government's direction to transfer the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police during the election time.

''Who gave the powers to the Election Commission observer to direct the MLAs and a Minister to leave the constituency?'' he asked, adding that the role of the commission should be to ensure free and fair election. It had so many powers, but it should not over exercise them.

Even the state Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, who was to come to Kozhikode from Delhi for campaign had been asked to go to Thiruvananthapuram first, he said, adding that the Election Commission should rectify such mistakes.

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