‘Action initiated against violators of poll code’

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SILCHAR, April 6: The District Election Officer Harendra Kumar Dev Mahanta expressed his satisfaction that with the cooperation of all the officials concerned the entire poll process beginning from the enforcement of code of conduct till the polling on April 4 was completed successfully andin an atmosphere of peace, barring some stray incidents. The percentage of polling in Cachar was 72.32 per cent. The break up figure was 62.23 per cent in Silchar. 75.41 per cent in Sonai, 73.82 per cent in Dholai, 73 per cent in Udharband, 74.77 per cent in Lakhipur, 77.69 per cent in Borkhola and 71.75 per cent in Katigorah. This indicated not only political consciousness among the voters but also their right to exercise their franchise, so essential in a democracy.
The District Election Officer at the sametime revealed 70 cases of violation of 'model code of conduct' and show cause notices served on them under the relevant provisions of People's Representation Act. He specifically referred to a Bengali daily in this respect which he said had published incomplete lists of candidates of the seven Assembly constituencies. Besides, a good number of candidates contesting the polls and the political parties, their leaders including the district presidents are also among the defaulters. Action would be initiated for their involvement in paid news forwhich notices had been served on them.
He named Enamul Haque Laskar, Congress candidate, who contested from Sonai constituency and pointed out that complaints against nine others including him had been filed inthe Court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate under People's Representation Act for violation of thecode of conduct. Enamul Haque distributed electric poles among some people to seek their votes. Besides, some other newspapers had also beenbrought under the purview of complaint. Show cause notices had also been served on DDK and AIR, he pointed out.
Harendra Kumar Dev Mahanta said in polling booth number 38 of Borkhola, the voting process was disrupted following fracas between the warring groups of two political parties and a report in this respect was submitted tothe Election Commission for re-poll. The decision and approval of the EC was awaited, he added to say. Regarding the allegations of BJP, AGP, AIUDF and an Independent in respect of irregularities and malpractices in some polling stations of Lakhipur Assembly constituency by the supporters of Dinesh Prasad Goala, Congress candidate, he pointed out that all these were looked into and decision would be taken about the course of action to be taken if found true. Three officials, he revealed, had been suspended in Sonai for dereliction of duties.
The District Election Officer stated that with the beginning of poll process, hisadministrative wing the Deputy Director of Information and Field Publicity till date issued 156 press releases on various information related to the conduct of free and fair elections. He said the voters had been informed that one of the 22 documents notified should be carried by them on the polling day if re-poll was held. He sought the cooperation of the media, print and electronic, for completing the process till the counting on May 13 was over. (SentinelAssam)