To nip poll irregularities in the bud, the EC has taken a cue from UP elections and has decided, for the first time in Gujarat, to video monitor about 200 candidates.
AHMEDABAD: To nip poll irregularities in the bud, the election commission has taken a cue from UP elections and has decided, for the first time in Gujarat, to video monitor about 200 candidates contesting the second phase on December 16.
Most of these candidates either have criminal antecedents or are likely to influence voters. Such candidates will be monitored by police officials of sub-inspector (SI) rank in 95 constituencies.
A senior EC official told DNA: “Only a handful of candidates were monitored by officials in the first phase, but in the second phase, monitoring will be done on a larger scale.”
The official said the process of monitoring would depend on the discretion of the collector of the respective district. Considering the fact that the EC is trying to follow the pattern adopted in the Uttar Pradesh elections, it will be extra careful about how the monitoring is done. “The SI will follow candidates from morning to evening on election day, keeping a close watch on their movements,” he said.
The EC has already made many people with criminal antecedents sign a bond of good behaviour. “Candidates, who have a criminal record or are history-sheeters, have been asked to sign a bond of good behaviour under Section 107 and 110 of the CrPC,” said the EC official, adding: “Moreover, all those who own arms have also been asked to deposit them so that elections can be conducted peacefully.”
Video cameras will also be installed at over 30 per cent of 20,000 polling booths in the second phase to keep a check on irregularities like bogus voting.
The EC has also appointed higher number of micro-observers for the second phase. The official said: “We have 4,000 micro-observers overseeing the electoral procedure, besides the paramilitary forces.” At least 2,000 sector magistrates have also been appointed to encourage voters in vulnerable areas to caste their votes.
v_vivek@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}