Guwahati: Some of the political parties may not have liked the Lok Sabha poll schedule in Assam because of coincidence with Ashokastami and Rangali Bihu festivals, but Election Commission of India (ECI) could not be convinced for a change in poll dates.
The ECI on Wednesday rejected the requests by some of the political parties for change of poll dates in Assam because of festivals besides prescribing for a two-pronged strategy for the authorities in Assam to get possession of both licensed and illegal weapons before the Lok Sabha election.
It has also directed the polling officials and EC flying squads to gear up night vigil to prevent distribution of cash, blankets, mosquito nets etc. by political parties as per suggestion made by some of the political parties.
The entire Election Commission headed by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) V S Sampath has made two-day visit to the State along with Election Commissioner, H S Brahma and Dr Nasim Zaidi to review the poll preparedness.
They had meeting with all senior police and civil officials in Assam, Income Tax department officials and representatives of all recognised national and state political parties here on Wednesday.
Given the security scenario in troubled Assam the Election Commission has instructed home department in Assam to take immediate steps to ensure deposit of licensed arms and seizure of all illegal weapons before election.
Regarding requests for change in polling dates, the CEC Sampath said, “We have been requested by political parties to review election dates on April 7 and April 12 on the occasion of Ashokastami and Ranagli Bihu. But we have found out that there is not even restricted holiday on April 7 on the occasion of Ashokastami and April 12 falls two days before Rangali Bihu. So, we have decided against any change in poll dates.”
Election in Assam will be held in three phases on April 7, 12 and 24. Voters’ photo identity cards (PICs) will be introduced in Assam for the first time during the forthcoming LS polls.
The CEC informed that already PICs had been issued to 90 per cent voters while efforts were on to issue another 4-5 per cent PICs before election.
Regarding demanding of allowing voting rights to ‘D voters’ (doubtful voters) which is pending in foreigners tribunals in Assam, the CEC said since the issue was sub-judice under judicial tribunal the Election Commission can just ask the state authorities to expedite the process so that the cases related to “D voters’ were disposed fast.
About 1.43 lakhs persons in Assam were declared ‘D’ (doubtful/disputed) in 1997, during intensive revision of electoral rolls.
The ‘D’ voters have been not allowed to cast votes in all elections held since then even as the cases are pending in foreigners tribunals in the state.