The Hindu : Start observing model code, CEC urges parties

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 09, 2004

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Start observing model code, CEC urges parties

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, FEB. 8. The new Chief Election Commissioner, T.S. Krishnamurthy, said here today that the Commission was preparing for the Lok Sabha elections and hinted that the process could be completed within three months.

Addressing a press conference soon after assuming office, Mr. Krishnamurthy, flanked by the Election Commissioners, B.B. Tandon and N. Gopalaswami (who also assumed charge today), said the intention was to hold simultaneous Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Sikkim.

"The Commission would announce the schedule for the Lok Sabha polls at an appropriate time. We are getting well prepared. At an appropriate time we will announce it. We have to follow certain procedural formalities, particularly hold discussions with the Home Ministry and Chief Secretaries and Directors-General of Police (DGPs) of States. We will announce the schedule at the earliest opportunity and ensure that the polls do not clash with the Central and State Board examinations," he said. The election schedule would be finalised after studying the ground situation in every State.

Asked whether the number of phases of polling would be reduced, he said efforts would be made to hold the elections in less than five phases.

On the sops announced by the Government ahead of the elections, he appealed to the political parties, particularly those in power, to observe the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct even before the announcement of the election dates. Though this was not discussed by the Commission, his personal view was that "as far as possible, the tax payers' money should not be used for electoral advantage." Asked whether the Commission would issue guidelines for political parties on television advertisements, he said, "we should have a discussion with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry in this regard."

The first task on hand was to complete the revision of electoral rolls in all States by including those who had attained 18 years of age on January 1, 2004. This would be completed by this month-end in most States and it would be take a few more days in Uttar Pradesh. A discussion is to be held in this regard with the Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary tomorrow. The focus should be on "clean electoral rolls, less violence and reduced poll expenditure."

Rolls revision in Tamil Nadu

Sources in the Election Commission said two teams — one for the constituencies in Chennai and the other for Madurai and Sivaganga — have been sent for inspection of the revision of rolls in Tamil Nadu.

For Chennai, the team had recommended 100 per cent verification of the rolls in the 14 Assembly constituencies following complaints of large-scale deletion of voters in four to five constituencies resulting in the reduction of the percentage of voters to the total population. The exercise is expected to be completed by February 15.

To a question on the availability of electronic voting machines (EVMs), Mr. Krishnamurthy said the Commission had sufficient number of machines. There would not be any shortage even if simultaneous Assembly elections were held in the three States.

`One among equals'

The CEC said all the three members of the Commission had equal powers as it was a collective body. "The CEC is one among the equals in the Commission. But an impression has been created over a period of time that the CEC has two horns." The CEC and the two Commissioners had equal powers, though the former was a coordinator and facilitator.

Paying glowing tributes to his 12 predecessors since 1950, he said each one of them had his own style and had worked with enormous dedication. Mr. Krishnamurthy likened a civil servant becoming Election Commissioner to a player becoming an "umpire." All the Commissioners would work together, maintaining neutrality and ensuring fairness.

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