R K Nagar bypoll: EC transfers poll and police officers

The Election commission of India has asked for two police officers and two poll officials ahead of bypoll in R K Nagar constituency. Following complaints of officials acting in favour of specific parties, the EC has asked for four officials to be transferred with immediate effect.

Ramesh Babu and N Balakrishna Prabhu, both inspectors of police along with Tahsildar M Sekar who is also the assistant returning officer and Vijayakumar, the electoral registration officer have been transferred ahead of the bypoll. The election commission claimed that the transfers were being made to ensure free and fair polling in the bypoll. The election commission had earlier transferred Chennai police Commissioner George following a complaint by the DMK.

Meanwhile, the election commission has appointed five observers for the bypoll, the highest in the country's electoral history. Following complaints by parties, including the DMK and the CPI(M), of money being distributed to the voters, the EC had appointed two Special Observers to monitor expenditure in addition to the three deployed earlier.

More than a dozen Income Tax officials have been assigned to look into complaints of money distribution. Deputy Election Commissioner, Umesh Sinha who held a meeting on Thursday directed deputation of two IAS and IPS officers on night rounds in the constituency, deploying micro-observers in all the 256 polling stations and webcasting in all the booths. There are more than 25 flying squads and static surveillance teams.

OneIndia News