Krishna questions ECI's election procedures

Udupi, May 11 (UNI) Former Chief Minister S M Krishna today strongly felt that there was a need a debate on the Election Commission of India's election procedure.

Addressing the press conference here after addressing the election meetings at Padubidre and Kalyanpura, he said the 'strict' guidelines by the EC had affected both the campaigning and voting.

Due to the stringent measure by the EC, political parties, Congress in particular, could not freely communicate with the people about the policies and programmes of their parties.

"Despite the strict measures, money played its role in the first phase of the election held yesterday," he said.

The former chief minister said that he had requested AICC general secretary and Union Minister Oscar Fernades to take up the issue.

"We will press for a comprehensive view on how to go about the electioneering without hampering the political parties," he said.

Replying the criticism made by former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Congress' 'inability' to project its chief ministerial candidate, Mr. Krishna said that the party had no such tradition and none of its prominent leaders who went on the become chief ministers were not projected as chief ministers, he said.

In Padubidre Mr. Krishna appealed the voters to vote for Congress to fulfill the unfulfilled tasks during his tenure.

He said he was not satisfied with the media pre-poll survey or exit-polls as they differed so much in between their predictions.

"In any case we are fully confident of gaining a majority in this election and form our own government," he said.

UNI MA RS TS1856