The Hindu : National : No change in Maharashtra poll date

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Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

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National

No change in Maharashtra poll date

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, SEPT. 13. There will be no change in the date of the Maharashtra Assembly election scheduled for October 13. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), T.S. Krishnamurthy told the press here today that although the Commission had considered the proposals put forward by several political parties that the date advanced by one day as "Sarvapitri Amavasya" fell on October 13, there was no unanimity among the parties. Consequently, the commission had decided to stick to the October 13 schedule. To accommodate the specific needs of those tied up with religious functions, polling would take place from 7.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

The CEC was repeatedly asked whether he had assured some political parties that he had no objection to the use of the term "Hindutva" in the election campaign. He said: "I have stated before and will repeat again that religious issues and sentiments should not be exploited for political gain. I stand by that statement. We are not here to provide dictionary services. All we say is that the political parties should look at the provisions of the law." He reasserted that he had "never said anything about the use of a particular phrase".

Mr. Krishnamurthy said the provisions in the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act, 1950 as well as the Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act, 1988 were very clear on these questions. "Political parties must realise the need to comply with these laws. If they are violated, they can be challenged through election petitions," he said.

About the use of religious symbols and the portraits of freedom fighters in Ganesh pandals, he said the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer had sent a letter to all political parties with guidelines. Asked if saffron flags, which also belong to a political party, could be raised at Ganesh pandals, the CEC said: "Party flags are not to be used for religious functions. There are clear distinctions between party and religious flags." Earlier, the CEC and the election commissioners, B.B. Tandon and N. Gopalaswami, met representatives of political parties, police and government officials.

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