EC reviews poll preparations in Rajasthan

Jaipur, Oct 31 (UNI) The Election Commission today reviewed the administration preparedness for the December 4 Assembly polls in Rajasthan and held interaction with representatives of political parties over vital poll-related issues.

Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami accompanied by Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and SY Qureshi and Deputy Election Commissioner Jai P Prakash arrived here this morning.

The Commission held separate meetings with Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Zutsi and other top officials of Election Department, representatives of seven recognised political parties including Congress, ruling BJP and Left parties and district electoral officers and top administrative and police officials.

At the meeting with political parties, the ruling BJP urged the Election Commission to reconsider its decision of staying implementation of Rs 750 crore Bhamashah Women Empowerment Scheme saying that the scheme was part of the state budget and launched much before enforcement of the model code of conduct.

The party delegation led by state vice-president Arun Chaturvedi also complained of discrimination on removal of banners and hoardings of welfare schemes of the Centre and Rajasthan Government.

While the banners and hoardings of the state-run schemes had been removed, those of the Centre-run schemes were allowed, the party pointed out.

The ruling party also expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of issuance of the electors' photo I-cards and urged that the commission should look into it and ensure voting rights for those who had so far not been provided with photo I-cards.

The Congress delegation led by state president CP Joshi also expressed dissatisfaction over slow pace of issuance of photo I-cards and urged the commission to safeguard against possibility of misuse of the I-cards by massive purchase of the same by the ruling BJP.

The Opposition party also urged the commission to ensure actual pro-active role of the election observers.

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