The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government told to keep orders impinging on model code in abeyance

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 08, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government told to keep orders impinging on model code in abeyance

Special Correspondent

Naresh Gupta gives political parties ten days to remove hoardings, graffiti

CHECKING THE ROLLS: People verifying the voters' list in Corporation Zone -6 at Triplicane in Chennai on Tuesday. — Photo: K. V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: The State Government has been asked to keep orders, including the reported move to constitute a panel to deal with issues vis-à-vis reservation for minorities, in abeyance if they impinge on the Model Code of Conduct and the Election Commission's related instructions, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Naresh Gupta said here on Tuesday.

He told reporters that the Chief Minister's reported assurance to a delegation on March 1 to form a panel for minorities was brought to the notice of the State Election Department. "Letters have been despatched to Secretaries of all departments concerned to not implement Government Orders issued after the notification of the poll schedule."

Vacancies galore

Referring to numerous vacancies in the Revenue department, Mr. Gupta said the Election Commission had been apprised of the matter and the Government was taking steps to set right the anomaly.

On vacancies of Village Administrative Officers, junior assistants and typists, Mr. Gupta said the Commissioner of Revenue Administration had been told to look into the matter urgently.

Asked if the State Election Department had received complaints about Intelligence personnel meddling in political affairs, he said: "Generally, Government servants should maintain absolute neutrality and remain impartial."

He said the Commission had instructed that officers, including Superintendents of Police of Namakkal, Virudhunagar and Perambalur districts, who were on extension of service or had been re-employed, should not be put on poll-related work.

Checklist prepared

Stating that the process of final publication of electoral rolls had begun on Tuesday, the CEO said a checklist had been prepared to compare data entries with manuscripts.

A software would guard against duplication of names.

It took long to complete the verification process in constituencies where receipt of claims was heavy.

Complete details of the electorate would be made available on the Election Commission's website, he said.

The EC's instructions to remove hoardings, banners, cut-outs and posters from public buildings had been sent to all recognised political parties. "The State election machinery will wait for the next ten days before initiating action against parties flouting rules," Mr. Gupta warned.

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