The Hindu : Front Page : Complaints of bribing voters a serious issue: Naresh Gupta

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007
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Complaints of bribing voters a serious issue: Naresh Gupta

Special Correspondent

Report on alleged money distribution to be sent to Election Commission

MADURAI: Complaints of bribing voters in the Madurai West Assembly constituency, where a byelection is to be held on June 26, were a matter of serious concern, Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta said on Tuesday.

After holding discussions with candidates and officials here, he said a report would be sent to the Election Commission on the allegations of money distribution to voters. “We are taking a very serious view of this. A couple of candidates have sought postponement of the byelection complaining that voters are being intimidated in the constituency. Elections in Uttar Pradesh were held with full conformity to the EC guidelines and Tamil Nadu will be left far behind if code violations are reported,” he told presspersons.

Parrying questions on whether the atmosphere was conducive to conduct a free and fair poll, Mr. Gupta maintained that the EC was determined to conduct a fair byelection. “We will ensure that all voters are allowed to exercise their franchise without any intimidation. Some candidates alleged that outsiders are camping in the constituency and sought more security. The poll observers have complained that vehicles without passes are being used for campaigning.”

Special patrol teams comprising police and revenue officials were deployed to check complaints of money distribution to voters, which was a cognisable offence. Central Reserve Police Force jawans would be deployed at all polling booths.

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam urban district secretary V.V. Rajan Chellappa said he lodged a complaint with the CEO that the Election Observer was not visiting any scene of offence despite specific complaints.

Accusing the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam cadres of unleashing terror on AIADMK functionaries, he said the city police “were acting in favour of the ruling party.”

DMK urban district secretary V. Velusamy, who met Mr. Gupta, accused the AIADMK party workers of creating “chaos and confusion” in the constituency.

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