Akalis protest pre-poll survey by Punjab Police

Chandigarh, Feb 8 (UNI) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has strongly objected to the pre-poll survey being conducted by the Mohali Police on its official website and has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to stop it and take strict action against the erring police officers.

A written complaint in this regard was faxed to the ECI by the Secretary of the party Dr Daljit Singh Cheema today.

The SAD alleged that the official website launched by Mohali Police had started a pre-poll survey. The people of the state had been asked to give their opinion about the voting pattern.

The party in its complaint has expressed its apprehension that this survey might be misused by anybody just before the polling day.

A copy of the news report published in a leading Hindi daily in this regard was also sent to the Commission along with the complaint.

The SAD also questioned the necessity of this poll survey by the Punjab Police.

''When the Election Commission has already fixed the date for polls, what is the urgency before the Police to know the opinion of the voters before it?'' the SAD has questioned in the complaint.

The complaint has stated that the SAD had already demanded transfer of Mr Dhillon in writing. The SAD conveyed to the commission that this action of the Punjab Police was undersired and uncalled for.

'' By the survey the Mohali Police has violated the guidelines of the ECI'', the complaint said while pointing out that the survey showed that the Mohali police was deeply involved in the political activity going on in the state and wanted to influence the minds of the people through its official website.

UNI