The Hindu : Kerala News : Antony Government violating code, CPI(M) tells EC

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 19, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Antony Government violating code, CPI(M) tells EC

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, APRIL 18. The CPI(M) today lodged a complaint with the Election Commissioner, B.B. Tandon, alleging that the Antony Government was appeasing various social organisations by promising them several benefits.

The CPI(M) leader, A. Vijayaraghavan, who met Mr. Tandon, now on an official visit to the State, told him that the Antony Government had violated the model code of conduct.

Mr. Vijayaraghavan later told The Hindu that the Election Commissioner had assured him that he would get the matter inquired into by the State Chief Secretary. The CPI(M) also complained that the Union Ministers, O. Rajagopal and P.C. Thomas, were misusing official machinery in their constituencies, Thiruvananthapuram and Muvattupuzha respectively.

Representatives of various parties, including the Congress, CPI, CMP and the BJP met the Election Commissioner today. The CPI(M) wanted the Commission to instruct the electoral officers that voters should be allowed to vote if they are able to prove their identity. Mr. Vijayaraghavan also urged the Election Commissioner to ensure that there was no last-minute deletions from the voters' list as it happened during previous occasions. He wanted the Commission to give directions to permit political parties to use private property to put up posters and hoardings.

Mr. Vijayaraghavan said the Commission had assured him to give the necessary instructions.

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), in its memorandum, pointed out that nearly 98 per cent of the voters were in possession of identity cards. They should be permitted to exercise their franchise only with the identity cards given to them. The rest of the 2 per cent voters may be allowed to vote only if they produce documents carrying their photographs as evidence before the electoral officers.

The KPCC delegation, comprising its general secretary, Joseph Vazhakkan, the AICC member, Philippose Thomas, and the Thiruvananthapuram DCC president, Peethambara Kurup, also wanted the Commission to ensure more clarity to the Congress symbol in the electronic voting machines.

The CPI leaders, E. Chandrasekaran Nair and C. Divakaran also met him, while the BJP's S. Madhusoodanan presented his party's case.

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