Post election, parties ‘forgive’ code violators

It was a competition of sorts among political parties in filing complaints against opponents, including against chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, for violating the model code of conduct during the days leading to the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) elections.

However, not only has the state election commission (SEC) shown slackness in taking action against violators, even the complainants have not followed up with the SEC in the aftermath of the polls.

The SEC registered the maximum number of complaints, 37, against the ruling BJP, while 10 were filed against the Congress and three against JD(S). In all, 87 complaints were filed before the SEC, with 14 being registered on the election day.

SEC secretary DK Ravindranath said notices were issued to the parties and persons against whom complaints were registered.

The JD(S) had filed a complaint of poll code violation against chief minister BS Yeddyurappa. “But the SEC has not taken any action, which is a clear indication that the commission is an agent of the state government,” JD(S) spokesperson Milind Dharmsen said.

BJP spokesperson MH Sridhar hit back saying the JD(S), too, had violated the code by advertising in evening newspapers a day before the election. “Notices have been issued, but that does not make much difference,” he said.

Doubts were raised on data collation when, after retabulation, it was found that Hanumanthanagar ward, and not Bellandur ward, had registered the lowest voter turnout.

The SEC had sought an explanation from the district election officer for the error. Many parties have demanded that retabulation be conducted in other wards too.