From Our Correspondent
AGARTALA: Chief Election Commissioner VS Sampath on Saturday said the new government would be constituted in Tripura well before expiry of tenure of the present one.
Dispelling all doubts centering timely election, Sampath who arrived here on a whirlwind visit to review the election arrangement, told media that it is a constitutional mandate to constitute the new government before tenure of the present government comes to an end.
Sampath said the Election Commission reviewed preparedness for the Tripura Assembly polls and is fully satisfied with the functioning of the election machinery in the state. However, he did not spell out the election schedule despite giving ample indication that the Assembly elections will be held well before March 16, the expiry date of the present Assembly.
Sampath said that the DMs and SPs were asked to act with full integrity and neutrally to ensure free and fair elections.
“Officials responsible for holding election were asked to take all possible measure to conduct a credible election. Any deviation on the duty will be dealt with severely”, he said.
On the meeting of political parties, the CEC said, “The meeting was good and fruitful and they assured full cooperation to hold a credible election. We received some complaints from political parties in course of meeting and will certainly look into the matter”.
Sampath also assured that sufficient security forces would be deployed during the election enabling voters to cast their votes without fear.
On the doubt over use of EVMs, the CEC said the Election Commission had introduced additional security to EVMs to dispel the the fear. “First level checking and mock drill at polling stations will be carried out to end the unnecessary doubt”, he added. (With inouts from PTI)
PTI adds from Kohima
EC satisfied with poll preparedness in Nagaland
The Election Commission has expressed satisfaction over poll preparedness in Nagaland where Assembly election is due in March.
A full bench of the Election Commission was in the state for the past two days to assess its poll preparation.
After holding discussions with state civil and police officials at Dimapur, Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath told newsmen that 95 per cent of Photo Electoral Roll had been completed in the state. He instructed the election officials to complete the remaining five per cent work before the coming Assembly election. The CEC said like in other parts of the country, expenditure monitoring during electioneering would be implemented in Nagaland to curb the practice of money power in elections. A comprehensive set of instructions, he said, has been given to the state election department for expenditure monitoring. Similarly, political parties and their candidates along with agents would be sensitised on this aspect through special workshops.
The tenure of the present Nagaland Assembly expires on March 18.