The Hindu : National : Criticism by parties baseless: Tandon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 10, 2005

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National

Criticism by parties baseless: Tandon

Special Correspondent

PATNA: Chief Election Commissioner B.B. Tandon on Wednesday "strongly deprecated" the attacks on the Commission by political parties and said the "canards" were meant to tarnish its "free and fair" image.

Talking to reporters after reviewing preparations for the next two phases of elections, Mr. Tandon said such complaints were baseless; they would not deter the Commission in the discharge of its duties and in conducting a free, fair and peaceful election. His colleague, N. Gopalaswamy, was also present.

Mr. Tandon said the charges were being levelled to spread dissatisfaction among a section of the voters and to impact the bureaucracy. All steps taken by the EC, including transfers, were carried out with the sole objective of ensuring free and fair elections; they had not been impacted by considerations of caste, creed and religion.

Expressing satisfaction over the preparations, Mr. Tandon said that the Nepal Government had agreed to ensure Army patrolling along its side of the border. The Nepal border would be sealed on the day of polling, as also the ones with Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Surveillance would be carried out through helicopters.

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