Poll code partly relaxed in some states
Agartala: The model code of conduct has been slightly relaxed in those states where polling has been completed, an official said here Wednesday. “Ministers can now hold review meetings of various projects and schemes with the officials and can visit ongoing developmental projects,” an Election Commission official told reporters. “However, in these review meetings and visits, the ministers cannot call the district magistrates or the officials engaged in the election-related duties.” Various state governments, including Kerala, have urged the poll panel to relax the model code of conduct for smooth work of the state administration and implementation of ongoing projects. In many states, including the NE states except Assam, polling is over but the model code of conduct is still effective. (IANS)
Two shot dead in Assam pre-poll violence
Kokrajhar (Assam): Two persons were shot dead by suspected NDFB (Songbijit) anti-talk faction militants in pre-poll violence in Assam’s Kokrajhar district a day before Lok Sabha polls, police said. Heavily armed militants attacked them at Bhogjhra village and shot them at point-blank range killing them on the spot. Senior police and civil officials rushed to the spot. Security has been tightened in the district, which goes to poll tomorrow, following intelligence inputs that NDFB(S) is planning to create disturbances during the poll. Around 7,500 personnel of security forces have been deployed in Kokrajhar(ST) constituency to ensure peaceful polling. (PTI)
BJP urges EC to ensure free and fair poll in Arunachal
Itanagar: Alleging Congress attempt to forge and manipulate postal ballots, the BJP in Arunachal Pradesh today demanded the Election Commission to ensure that such postal ballot papers are rejected during counting of votes. The party has also demanded proper surveillance and strict monitoring of all the strong rooms in the state. “The Congress is making desperate attempt to forge and manipulate postal ballot votes in favour of its candidates and resorting to sabotage the counting process,” the party alleged in a statement. “It is shocking and surprising that a Congress worker, from Hapoli assembly constituency, who was subsequently arrested, in Lower Subansiri district had collected postal ballot papers by producing forged identity card and submitted in favour of the party candidate from the constituency” the party said. The party also criticized the Election Commission for playing the rule of a mute spectator to the happenings as not a single complaint lodged by the party has been responded to by the Commission. The party demanded the Commission to intervene in the matter and order necessary inquiry into the forgery and manipulations in postal ballot voting process and bring those culprits involved to book. (PTI)
12 houses gutted in Mizoram
Aizawl: At least 12 houses, belonging to the Bru community in Putlungasih village in south Mizoram’s Lunglei district were completely gutted on Wednesday, official sources said. No one was killed or injured in the fire which broke out at around noon reportedly from a house belonging to H Lalhmingthanga, they said, adding, that the cause of fire was yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the forest fire, which started five days back, continued to create havoc and ravaged large forest area in central Mizoram’s Serchhip district, prompting the district administration to take emergency measures. (PTI)
