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Tight vigil on TN borders over cash seizures: EC
The bypolls to four vacant Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu will soon be announced and the demand raised by the political parties seeking early elections is also under consideration, Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra told reporters here on Thursday.
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Chennai
Responding to the large-scale seizure of cash in Vellore from DMK party workers, Lavasa said that the issue was still under investigation. He added that a tight vigil is being maintained on the State borders.
A team of EC officials conducted a three-day review of poll preparedness in TN. They also met nodal officers of I-T, Excise, Railways, Airport and State level officials from banks. “Efforts are on to curb the misuse of money, drugs, liquor and freebies distribution,” Lavasa said.
The Commissioners also stated that a political party raised the issue of similarity between their symbol and symbol allotted to independents. “Some political parties complained that officials are not acting on complaints and demanded transfer of certain officials, along with implementation of transfer orders issued by EC. They have also requested us to appoint neutral officials to man the polling booths,” Lavasya explained. He added that transaction of money through banking channels is being monitored.
The EC has also directed that basic facilities like electricity, ramps, sheds, drinking water and toilets be provided without fail. Lavasa added that 8,787 anti-social elements have been detained to ensure election was not vitiated and added that TN has 67,720 polling stations with VVPAT machines - an increase of 1,946 polling stations compared to the previous elections. The poll panel also said more than 17 lakh people have tried the EVM and VVPAT machines and cast their votes in the mock polls.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
- I-T officials have been deployed in every district and air intelligence units set up at airports
- At least one all-women managed polling station per assembly constituency would be set up
- To handle issues related to enforcement of expenditure, Lavasa said a minimum of two expenditure officers per parliamentary constituency have been deployed for strict vigil
- One of the demands put forth by political parties was setting up of fast-track courts to dispose within three months cases related to violation of MCC, Lavasa said
- 2,106 flying squads and 702 static surveillance teams on the field and checking at state borders intensified
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