EC to examine BJP's demand of lifting ban on Bhamashah Scheme

Jaipur, Oct 31 (UNI) The Election Commission tonight said it would examine the demand raised by the ruling party in Rajasthan to reconsider its stay on implementation of Rs 850-crore Bhamashah Women Empowerment Scheme.

The BJP in the state had urged the Election Commission to reconsider its stay on implementation of Rs 850-crore Bhamashah Women Empowerment Scheme while the Opposition Congress had demanded relaxation on compulsion of photo I-cards for casting votes in the December 4 Assembly polls in the state.

The demands were raised during an interaction with Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami, Election Commissioners Navin Chawla and SY Qureshi and Deputy Election Commissioner Jai P Prakash, who arrived here earlier this morning.

Talking to reporters tonight, CEC Mr Gopalaswami said,'' The Commission would examine the demand raised by the ruling party against the suspension of the scheme.'' About the Congress' demand over compulsion of electors' photo I-cards(EPICs), Mr Gopalaswami made it clear that all voters who had been provided with EPICs were required compulsorily to show the same to polling personnel while casting votes.

However, for ensuring voting rights to those who had not provided with I-Cards, the Commission would take appropriate decision at appropriate point of time.

Earlier in the day, the Commission reviewed administrative preparedness for the ensuing polls and held separate meetings with Chief Electoral Officer Vinod Zutsi and other top officials of the Election Department, representatives of seven recognised political parties including the Congress, ruling BJP and Left parties and district electoral officers and top administrative and police officials.

The CEC has expressed satisfaction over the preparedness of the administration for holding smooth election.

Eds., rest pick up suitably from earlier.

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