EC take cognizance of dacoit Dadua's threat in UP polls

Lucknow, Apr 20 (UNI) The Election Commission today said it had taken congizance of reports that dreaded dacoit Dadua was threatening people to vote for the ruling party and indicated that action against some more officials was on the cards.

Addressing a press conference here tonight after reviewing Phase V of Assembly polls, slated on April 28 in nine districts, Chief Election Commissioner N Golapaswami said, they have taken congizance of Dadua's posters asking voters to cast their vote for the ruling party and also about the threat by his brother Bal Kumar to cops in Patti Assembly seat of Pratapgarh.

''We are committed to ensure free and fair polls and will take all necessary steps, '' he said adding that if required action will be taken against erring officials not following the EC guidelines.

In the presence of other two Election Commissioners-- Navin C Chawla and S Q Quereshi-- the CEC said the decision on the controversial BJP CD issue would be taken very soon while the commission was yet to examine the CD of the Samajwadi Party.

Brushing aside the allegations by the ruling Samajwadi Party of low turnout in the first three phases of polling due to stringent measures by the EC, Mr Gopalaswami said this was only due to the migrated voters. ''In total about 10 to 15 per cent of voters have either migrated to other places or they are working outside the state which resulted in the gap of polling percentage'', he said.

'' Out of the total 11.50 crore voters in UP, more than 85 lakh have migrated outside the state due to their employment'', he added.

He, however, maintained that in some constitutuencies there was increase in the polling percentage than recorded in 2002.

When asked about the controversy ranging on missing name of Congress leader Salman Khurshid and his wife Luise, he said the matter is still under investigation and a decision will be taken soon.

''After the Kayamganj fisco we have ordered all the officials to cross check all the voters list to be sent to the polling stations to prevent such mistakes'', the CEC said.

He also said the reason for the missing names in the voter list was mainly due to loss in the data. ''We cannot blame anyone for such a big process'', he stressed.

During the day long meeting to review the poll preparation for Phase-V, Mr Gopalaswami said the commission was satisfied with the arrangements and some minor instructions have been issued in some constituencies related to electoral rolls.

He said during his meeting with the represtatives of the political parties their main complaint was about the electoral rolls, against specific officials and on the electioneering style of their rival parties.

UNI