Did EC try enough, asks HC

The direction came on an election petition filed by a reader of Delhi University, Khalid Alvi, seeking the quashing of the Election Commission8217;s May 10 order, countermanding the election of Chapra Lok Sabha constituency. Alleging that the Commission did not perform its duty properly and failed to deploy adequate forces despite knowing that Chapra was a sensitive Lok Sabha constituency, Alvi8217;s counsel Asad Alvi sought the court8217;s direction for EC to produce the records pertaining to its function from the date of withdrawal to the date of polling.

Advocate P.R. Chopra, appearing for the EC, denied the allegations and said the Commission was fully active during the entire election process. But, the court asked the EC to explain it was active from the date of withdrawal till the polling date and adjourned the hearing for May 26. The court said it had rightly been pointed out that the EC did not take any step on its own and only after media reports that the poll in Chapra was vitiated due to booth capturing and violence, the EC woke up.