The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Central forces will be properly deployed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Central forces will be properly deployed

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MAY 1. Election Commissioners B.B. Tandon and N. Gopalaswami today warned that Central Para-Military Forces (CPMF) would be used extensively in case of a repoll in Tamil Nadu. They conveyed this message at a discussion with the Chief Secretary, the Director-General of Police and the Inspector-General (Elections) at the Raj Bhavan here.

On the polling day, the CPMF would have to be actively deployed, said Mr. Tandon. "They cannot be kept in reserve. We have discussed this in detail with the Chief Secretary and the DGP and a proper deployment plan has been prepared in which our special observer has been associated. There will be flag marches by the CPMF in all constituencies to instil confidence in the voters."

Later, to a question whether the CPMF would only be part of a striking force or it would be deployed in booths, Mr. Gopalaswami said: "We have given instructions and we are quite sure that this will be followed in letter and in spirit." Asked specifically whether the CPMF would be deployed at the booth level, he said: "No comments."

Mr. Tandon said the polling process would be extensively videographed in all sensitive constituencies including the three in Chennai. Also, bogus voters would not be let off this time. "They will not be allowed to go with warning. Strict action will have to be taken."

Any voter found with a false identity document would also be arrested and prosecuted. All vehicles transporting voters would immediately be impounded and action taken as per the law. "We have decided to set up a control room at a central place in each constituency, which will be manned by another officer who would receive all complaints and immediately get in touch with the observer and pass them on to the observer for prompt action," Mr.Tandon said.

Earlier, the Election Commissioners met representatives of political parties and discussed poll preparedness in the State. Mr. Tandon and Mr. Gopalaswami informed them that all steps would be taken to ensure a free and fair poll, according to a press release. "The Election Commissioners gave strict instructions to all concerned to effectively use the State police and the CPMF to ensure a smooth poll."

They reviewed polling arrangements with the returning offices of the North, Central and South Chennai constituencies in the presence of the observers, the City Police Commissioner, the special observer and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

In the afternoon, they looked at enforcement of the code of conduct and arrangements for police deployment. The Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Director-General of Police and the Inspector-General (Elections) attended the meeting. The special observer and the CEO also participated. "No stone will be left unturned to ensure a free and fair poll in Tamil Nadu," says the press release.

Mr. Tandon said the EC had received 39 complaints from political parties. Enquiry was completed in 33 cases and action taken. Enquiry reports on six complaints were still awaited. "We expect to get the report in the next two-three days. So it is wrong to say that we are not taking any action."

Asked what action was taken, Mr.Tandon said the action taken in each case would be different. "We communicate the action taken to the party concerned... We make it public. It goes to the media."

Mr. Tandon appreciated the role of the media in the 2002 Saidapet Assembly byelection. "It had highlighted so many things and we really made use of the information that came to us from the media. We would expect the media to be active to that extent particularly in the three Chennai constituencies; we would encourage and welcome that and appreciate that," he said.

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