Chief Election Commissioner J.M. Lyngdoh, who had yesterday accused the Ajit Jogi Government of ‘‘bias’’, today returned dissatisfied with poll arrangements in the state. Before leaving, he assigned a gruelling task to Chief Secretary S.K. Mishra — to send the EC a fresh report on election arrangements in the state. After an early morning visit to Sirpur — a key archeological site, 80 km from here — Lyngdoh summoned Mishra to his hotel room to follow up on the information he had sought yesterday. The meeting lasted 10 minutes and Lyngdoh left with Election Commissioners B.B. Tandon and T.S. Krishnamurty. The CEC spoke to The Indian Express before his flight left for Delhi. After your follow up meeting with the Chief Secretary, are you satisfied with poll arrangements in Chhattisgarh?I am not satisfied with the poll arrangements, even now. I have asked for a fresh report from the state government, for ensuring free and fair polls. You said there are serious complaints against some district collectors and SPs. What action do you propose to take against the erring officers?We have already asked for reports on all these complaints. Inquiry is already on. We will examine the reports and take suitable action. We will not spare anyone, if complaints are found true. We will take all possible steps to ensure free and fair elections and also deal with the complaints effectively. You also spoke about airlifting the polling staff for Naxalite-infested areas. Have you decided on the deployment of helicopters for this purpose?Yesterday, we had asked the state government to work out detailed modalities for flying the polling staff, in order to make them reach the polling stations, and then airlift them back. Now, some senior officers have to show some physical courage and recce these areas to submit us a report. We will take a decision accordingly. Will EC team or one of its members visit these areas?No. We will send our poll observers and ask for their reports about the ground situation. You have drawn a parallel between Gujarat and Chhattisgarh to support your observations on the state of affairs here. Do you stand by it?Yes, I do. Whatever I have said is true and I stand by my statement. How was your visit to the tourist spot early this morning?Oh, it was wonderful. It is a beautiful archeological site. I wish I had enough time to spend there.
