SEC seeks report from BJD

Bhubaneswar,Dec 29 (UNI) Orissa State Election Commissioner(SEC) Sanjeeb Chandra Hota has sought report from the ruling Biju Janata Dal and Orissa government on violation of code of conduct during the Panhayat elections in the state.

Mr Hota, who chaired a meeting of the District Collectors and the Superintendent of Police on poll preparations, later told newsmen that he had sought a clarification on the use of official vehicles by some BJD Ministers during the party's foundation day on December26 last.

The SEC said he came to know from the newspaper reports that some ministers had gone to the party office in their official car to attend the foundation day meeting on the day the code of conduct was enforced in the entire state.

Elections to the three tier Panchayat Raj institutions would be held in Orissa in five phases from February 13 next to February 21.

Though the notification for inviting nomination to Ward member, Sarpanch, Panchayat Samitee member and Zilla Parishad member would be issued on March 5 next, the code of conduct came into force on December 26 with the announcement of the election schedule by the SEC.

Mr Hota said his attention has been drawn to a promotional film prepared jointly by the Orissa Mining Corporation and the State Tourism Department, highlighting the election symbol of the ruling Biju Janata Dal.

The SEC said he had taken exception to the telecast of the film where the party symbol had been used and sought a clarification from the government as it amounted to clear violation of code of conduct.

Mr Hota asked the district collectors to finalise the date of polls for the panchayat in their respective areas. The SPs were also asked to prepare a master plan on the number of sensitive and hypersensitive booth and requirement of force to conduct the polls.

On the vacancies of the post at the panchayat level, as raised by the Collectors and Superintendent of Police, the SEC asked the government to fill up the vacancies before the poll schedule.

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