Tamil Nadu: Election Commission transfers 4 officials to ensure fair bypoll

Chennai: Election Commission of India on Friday transferred four officials including electoral registration officer (ERO) of RK Nagar and an assistant returning officer (ARO). Two police inspectors were also transferred. An order copy from ECI addressed to chief secretary of Tamil Nadu Girija Vaidyanthan and marked to the chief electoral officer Rajesh Lakhoni ordered the immediate transfer of ERO Vijayakumar who is also the Tondiarpet zonal officer.

The order, which also transferred S. Ramesh Babu (inspector — New Washermenpet) N. Balakrishna Prabhu (inspector — Tondiarpet) and ARO Sekar instructed the state to ensure that these officers be kept out of RK Nagar where polling is scheduled on April 12. The ECI in its order also directed the state to fill the vacancies with suitable officers in consultation with chief electoral officer.

The order also demanded the state to send the compliance report immediately. According to informed sources, the recent report by observers found that some of the local police officers were ineffective in preventing the cash distribution. Whereas, in case of corporation officials they sat over the complaints lodged by political parties and also failed to prevent poll code violations including distribution of cash, sources added.

Will take prompt action to curb cash for votes: EC

The Election Commission on Friday said prompt action would be taken against political parties or candidates who try to influence voters R K Nagar Assembly bypoll by offering cash or gifts. Deputy election commissioner Umesh Sinha, who is on a two day visit to Chennai said the poll officials have received complaints that cash and gifts are being given to induce voters. Strategies are evolved to address all the grievances within 24 hours. A huge campaign seeking public not to accept cash for votes will be conducted in the constituency. Sufficient number of central paramilitary force companies will be deployed in the Constituency and based on the need, the ECI will also increase the number of companies.

Sinha also said officials from Income Tax department, Enforcement Department and surveillance teams will monitor vital junctions like airports, railway stations and bus stands to check if large amounts of money are being transferred. He also said all liquor outlets are under surveillance and a door-to-door campaign will be conducted among public to ensure a free fair polls. Commenting on the large number of candidates in the fray, he said the EC would keep an eye on all “dummy candidates” and if they are found involved in poll violations, strict action will be taken against them.

Earlier in the day Umesh Sinha visited R K nagar and reviewed the arrangements in place. He also interacted with CEO Rajesh Lakhoni and district election officer D Karthikeyan on the actions being taken against the recommendations from election commission.