CEC warns against lapses in UP polls

Lucknow, Feb 28 (UNI) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) N Gopalaswami today warned that any irregularities during the seven-phase Assembly polls in Uttar Pradesh will be taken seriously and the concerned official punished.

''Election Commission (EC) will work as a watchdog on every incident during the poll process and not tolerate any dishonesty or biased attitude by any official'', he said.

Addressing the civil and police officials of 43 districts going to polls in the first four phases here, Mr Gopalaswami said EC is ''very serious'' in holding free and fair polls and will not compromise with any lapses on part of the adminstration.

The CEC said at any cost 90 per cent of the Election Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) should be completed in the state within the stipulated time.'' EC will not accept any excuse from any official if the percentage is less than 90 per cent in their respective area'', he said adding that the official should work round the clock to meet the target. He also gave the example of Punjab where 95 per cent EPICs were ready before conducting the Assembly polls.

Asking all the district returning officers to chalk out a micro management plan and prepare a checklist for smooth conduct of the polls, he said each polling centre will have a communication plan and will be connected to the district or state through phone or mobile so that all information can be recieved immediately. Besides, all districts should also have a ' district security plan' to deal with the anti-social elements wanting to disturb the poll process.

The CEC also reviewed the law and order situation, information about arms licence and preventive measures at district level and gave specific directives to the concerned officials.

The EC was represented by Mr Gopalaswami along with his two commissioners Navin Chawla and S Y Quereshi, Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishnan and state Chief Electoral Officer A K Bishnoi.

District magistrates, SSP, DIGs, IGs and commissioners of 43 districts attended the meeting.

Earlier in the day, the EC met the representatives of the political parties to know about their views over the Assembly polls.

Tomorrow, EC will meet the officers of the remaining 27 districts and later hold meeting with the chief secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) before leaving for New Delhi.

UNI