The Hindu : Front Page : Decks cleared for Madurai byelection

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Monday, Jun 25, 2007
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Decks cleared for Madurai byelection

C. Jaishankar and S. Vijay Kumar

The EC is not directly concerned about law and order problems, says Gopalaswami

SECURITY MEASURES: The police checking vehicles entering Madurai. —

RAMANATHAPURAM/MADURAI: The Election Commission has cleared the decks for conducting the byelection to the Madurai West Assembly constituency.

“The EC is not directly concerned about law and order problems. Our priority is to conduct of election in a free and fair manner. At the moment, we think that the election can be conducted,” Chief Election Commissioner N. Gopalaswami told The Hindu at Ramanathapuram on Sunday. Mr. Gopalaswami, who was on a two-day private visit here, said polling and counting of votes could be held as per schedule.

EC directive

The EC has directed the Commissioner of Police, Sanjeev Kumar, not to leave the jurisdiction of Madurai Commissionerate till the election process is over.

Taking a serious note of Mr. Sanjeev Kumar going to Tirunelveli on June 17 to cover the Chief Minister’s visit, the EC said cadres of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam had staged a demonstration on the Circuit House premises and raised slogans that day.

“It has come to our notice that you were not available in Madurai when these incidents took place. Your presence was clearly required at Madurai during the election period and you should not have left the jurisdiction of the Police Commissionerate without prior permission of the EC during the electoral process. Under Section 28 of the Representation of the People Act, you are under the Superintendence, Direction and Control of the EC,” Tapash Kumar, Secretary, EC, said in a letter to the Commissioner. However, police sources said Mr. Sanjeev Kumar was Inspector General of Police (South Zone) then and was only holding additional charge of Madurai Commissionerate.

He had gone to Tirunelveli as there was intelligence information of a possible tension there between two communities. The Chief Minister’s visit was only a “coincidence”. Meanwhile, Chief Electoral Officer Naresh Gupta has instructed that all non-voters should leave the constituency by 5 p.m. on June 24.

“If any person is allowed to be present, it will be construed that the atmosphere for free and fair poll is being undermined owing to laxity on the part of the police. It is likely that some well-known politicians may stay out, but send some antisocials to intimidate voters. This should be watched and no one should be allowed, regardless of the political backing these elements may have. The police have to act with absolutely impartiality in this regard.”

In a communication to the District Collector and the Police Commissioner, Mr. Gupta said it had been repeatedly pointed out by the Observers that a large number of unauthorised vehicles were being used for campaign. Though this was brought to the notice of the police, no action was taken to impound the vehicles.

“This will be viewed very seriously by the EC and may result in severe disciplinary action against the erring officials,” he said.

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