Election Commission deploys 1,300 micro observers

Flying squads are asked to focus on the entry and exit points of districts where bypolls are scheduled and the cash for vote complaints are registered and investigated.

Clarifying the action taken in connection with the Madurai case, the CEO said that the revenue officials had failed to lock the room where the poll documents were stored. The matter is now pending before the court and based on the directions from the court and Election Commission, necessary actions are taken, he said.

Regarding the implementation of model code of conduct, the CEO said so far Rs 141.88 crore of cash had been seized and the process of returning the cash and gold after verifying the documents is under way.

All the rooms near the counting station are considered as strong room and the security has been enhanced at all counting stations for a fair election process. The new Madurai district election officer will also conduct an enquiry into the Madurai security breach issue. Based on the recommendations of assistant returning officers and observers, a report seeking re-poll had been sent to the EC for action. The final decision on whether to conduct re-polling or not will be taken by the EC.

Asked about the controversies and rescindment related to Karur and Vellore, the CEO said that a senior officer had been deputed to Karur district to review the security and poll code implementations, based on his report next course of action will be taken. In case of Vellore Lok Sabha seat, the EC had already suspended the polls and we are waiting for further orders. In the case of Ponparappi violence, the Collector had submitted his report and the general observers had not registered any poll violations, the CEO said.