Low turnout: EC ready to ''ignore'' minor lapses in EPICs

Lucknow, Apr 9(UNI) Keeping in mind the low voter turnout in Phase I polling in 62 assembly seats on April 7, Election Commission today directed the authorities to ignore minor lapses in the Election Phtot Identity Cards(EPICs) during phase II polling on Friday next in 58 assembly seats.

State chief electoral officer (CEO) Anuj KUmar Bishnoi said here that EC has, during phase II also, extended the 15 alternate photo identity cards for voters in the second phase who do not possess EPICs. The same alternative were allowed during phase I polling too.

He said now for the second phase, EC has directed all the presiding officers to ignore any small lapses in the EPICs related to name,sex, address or ID number.

The phase I had recorded a moderate 46 per cent polling, which was less as compared to the previous assembly elections.

Mr Bishnoi said in a new directive, the Commission has that under section 77 of the Representation of Peoples Act, the star campaigners-- 40 of the recognised parties and 20 of other parties-- will not get relaxation of expenditure in their own constitutuencies if they are the candidate. This rexalation will also not be applicable to those leaders who are not of the same party He said, besides names given once cannot be changed except in case of death.

UNI