The Hindu : Front Page : Bihar polls were a challenge: Tandon

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 21, 2005

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Bihar polls were a challenge: Tandon

The biggest difficulty was ensuring security and tackling naxalites, says CEC

New Delhi: Holding the Assembly elections in Bihar was "challenging," Chief Election Commissioner B.B. Tandon said on Sunday. He also defended Election Commission Adviser K.J. Rao, who has been under attack from the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) for his tough handling of irregularities.

"To hold elections in a peaceful, free and fair manner in Bihar is a very difficult task. It was a challenge," Mr. Tandon told PTI a day after the conclusion of the month-long process.

The Commission was "satisfied" with its performance and the "credit goes to the people of the State," he said.

RJD leader Prem Chand Gupta and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh had recently protested certain remarks of Mr. Rao. "Rao, who was a member of the two-member team of special observers in Bihar, has done commendable work. People, candidates and even the press appreciated his work. The Commission is satisfied with his work," Mr. Tandon said.

The feedback received by the Commission showed that Mr. Rao performed his duties "very impartially" and in a "fair manner." Wherever action was required, it was taken against all those who were found to be violating the law or the model code of conduct.

Asked what type of difficulties the poll panel encountered, Mr. Tandon said: "A lot of difficulties. The biggest was to ensure security and to tackle the naxalites." On the counting of votes on November 22, he said foolproof security arrangements were being made. Cameras would be deployed at the counting centres.

Mr. Tandon said nearly 1.5 lakh non-bailable warrants were executed in the last three months, and a huge quantity of arms and ammunition seized.

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