EC bars UP from shifting poll officers

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 10: The Election Commission (EC) has directed the BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh not to transfer any poll officer till...

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 10: The Election Commission (EC) has directed the BJP Government in Uttar Pradesh not to transfer any poll officer till the by-elections to Kannauj parliamentary constituency and eight Assembly segments are held on February 17. The Commission has also asked the Bihar Government not to pass its budget pending assembly polls.

In a letter to UP chief secretary, the Commission said the model code of conduct would become effective throughout the State, including the districts in which constituencies going to polls fell, EC sources said.

The Commission said no election-related officer should be transferred from the day the polls were notified, that is January seven, till seven weeks are completed on February 26.

Story continues below this ad

The letter specifically said the officers would remain in their positions, being held since January eight, till February 26, the sources added.

In another letter to the Bihar government the EC has directed the RJD Government in Bihar, which goes to polls next month, to refrain from presenting this year’s budget in the State Assembly saying it would violate the model code of conduct.

Commission sources said the State Government has assured that it would not not present the 2000-2001 budget and leave the matter to the new government.

The RJD government headed by Rabri Devi has also indicated to the Commission that since the new Assembly would have enough time in March this year, it did not propose to seek a vote-on-account for the first quarter of the new financial year, the sources said.

Story continues below this ad

Assembly elections in Bihar will be held on February 12, 17 and 22. The counting of votes will begin on February 25.

The State Government, the sources said, has decided to present only the second supplementary budget to meet the expenditure gaps in the current Financial year in the winter session of the State Assembly beginning on Monday.

The Election Commission which met on Sunday and Monday, took stock of the situation after discussing the matter with the Rashtriya Janata Dal president Laloo Prasad Yadav and the Chief Minister Rabri Devi.

The State Government has assured the Commission that it would fully adhere to the model of code of conduct.

Story continues below this ad

In the light of the code, which came into force with the announcement of election schedule on Saturday last, the State Government has also decided to suitably recast the Governor’s address which was to be delivered on Monday.

Appreciating the "prompt response" of the State Government, the Commission expressed confidence that not only in Bihar, the polls would be "free and fair" in three other states, Orissa, Haryana and Manipur, going to polls next month.

"The Commission is confident that, in fact, not only in Bihar, but all states going to the polls shortly, all concerned will be conscious that this is the first election in the country in the new year and the new millennium," the sources said.

It was also confident that `all involved will ensure that this exercise does credit to the country, the parties and the candidates,’ the sources added.