MADURAI/CHENNAI: Close on the heels of shifting of Madurai Police Commissioner M. Chidambarasamy, the Election Commission has ordered that five other police officers be kept away from election-related duties.

It said two Assistant Commissioners of Police and three Inspectors in Madurai City conducted themselves "in a manner, which raises doubt in regard to their ability to ensure a free and fair poll" in the Madurai Central Assembly constituency, where a bypoll is scheduled for Wednesday.

In a communication sent to the Inspector-General of Police (South Zone), Sanjeev Kumar, Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said ACPs, S. Kumaravel and N. Rajendran and Inspectors M. Udayasuriyan, P. Purushothaman and S. Subbaraman, were found not to be functioning impartially. Mr. Sanjeev Kumar is holding additional charge as Madurai Police Commissioner.

Assumes charge

Mr. Gupta told The Hindu here that E.K. Majhi from Kerala had reached Madurai and assumed charge as additional observer.

The enquiry held by the Deputy Election Commissioner and the special measures taken by the Election Commission would result in a desired improvement in the situation in the constituency, said Election department sources.

Observer (general) Sanjeev Kumar, Observer (expenditure) K.R. Meena and Mr. Majhi, were checking marriage halls, lodges and entry points to ensure that outside elements did not disrupt the poll.If officials were threatened, they should inform the Observers.

"Those persons who think that they can indulge in bogus voting are thoroughly mistaken, as nowadays, the EC Observers look at all the records kept in polling stations, which enable them to find out irregularities.

The Observers can also order action against erring polling officials, besides taking a decision on conducting a repoll," Mr. Gupta said.

Paramilitary forces

Central Government employees were posted as presiding officers in all polling stations.

Central paramilitary forces would be deployed in 42 buildings, where 154 polling stations were located, he said.

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