The Hindu : National : Poll observers to meet tomorrow

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 23, 2006

National

National

Poll observers to meet tomorrow

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Election Commission announced on Wednesday that a meeting of poll observers from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry would be held here on Friday. While Kerala is having a three-phase poll on April 22, 29 and May 3, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry go to the polls on May 8.

The full Commission comprising Chief Election Commissioner B.B. Tandon and Commissioners N. Gopalaswami and Navin Chawla will address over 350 general and expenditure observers who would be deputed to these three States.

Besides law and order, issues such as coverage of electors' photo identity cards and preparation of the electoral rolls will be discussed. While there is near cent per cent EPIC coverage in Kerala and Pondicherry, the coverage in Tamil Nadu is around 65 per cent. The Commission had fixed a target of around 85 per cent to be achieved before the polls.

Close watch

The observers will be asked to keep a close watch on the conduct of officials engaged in election duty for total neutrality and impartiality. They will be told that no civil or police officer against whom any chargesheet has been filed in a court of law or departmental action has been initiated for election-related misconduct be associated with election work.

Observers will be asked to look at the filing of affidavits by candidates on their criminal antecedents, educational qualifications, assets and liabilities, including that of their family members. They must ensure that this information is given wide publicity.

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