On poll eve, EC serves double whammy to CM

In the second case, the Commission ordered the reversal of the state government’s decision to take over the management of two temples, including the popular Satya Narayan temple at Rampur in Shimla district.

The EC said in violation of provisions of model code and the Commission’s instructions, Virbhadra, without taking requisite permission from the Chief Electoral Officer, allegedly sent two government and one private vehicle fitted with beacon lights ahead of his visit to Kinnaur for election campaign. Even though the district administration detained these vehicles, he reportedly used two government vehicles as pilot vehicles fitted with sirens and beacon lights during his campaign on November 11 and 12.

Moreover, during his meeting with EC observers at Kinnaur on November 12, the CM allegedly told them that the detaining of the vehicle fitted with red light was an “illegal action” by the Deputy Commissioner and the SP and had asked them to “behave properly” as it was he who had posted them in the district. He is also stated to have remarked that “the model code of conduct is not a law and I know what the law is”.

In the case of takeover of temples, the government did it after the declaration of elections, triggering a series of protests by the local management committees and also the BJP.

The government, in fact, wanted to attach the historic Bhimakali temple of Busheshr. Bhimlakali is the reigning deity of Virbhadra’s royal family.

Immediately after the takeover, the Election Commission asked for a detailed report on it from Shimla Deputy Commissioner Tarun Kapoor, who is also the returning officer. Informed sources said the Deputy Commissioner took the same line of the Government and justified the takeover. But the Commission rejected the official report and said that the Government had no power for such a step since elections had already been announced.

Meanwhile, nearly 1,27,785 voters of the high altitude tribal belt would exercise their franchise on Wednesday, deciding the fate of 12 candidates, including two sitting Congress MLAs. Except for Lahaul-Spiti, where a BSP candidate is putting up a tough challenge to the BJP, the Congress is fighting a pitched battle in Kinnaur and Bharmaur to retain its seats. Of the total 298 polling stations, 53 are declared hyper sensitive. The Kaa poling station in Kinnaur has only 20 voters.

Chief Electoral Officer Manisha Nanda said all arrangements have been made for free and fair polls. A helicopter will remain at the disposal of the CEO for any emergency, while a three-way communication network has been put in place to keep a close watch during the day.

A wireless network linking 298 polling stations, mobile phones and satellite phones will be in use during the polling day and collection of the EVMs. The highest polling booth — Hikkam, at an altitude of 15,000 feet — in Spiti will be connected by wireless. All 43 helipads in the region have been operationalised to work in case of an emergency, she said.

One company of Indo-Tibetan Border Police has been deployed in all sensitive areas to avoid untoward incidents.

The Election Commission also decided to airlift all the EVMs from the Lahaul-Spiti and bring it to Kullu for safe custody. “The counting of votes will also take place at Kullu,” said a release of the CEO.

In the case of Pangi, the EVMs will be taken to Bharmaur for counting of votes.

The electoral process for second phase will begin on November 23 for the remaining 65 seats. The term of the current Assembly ends on March 9, 2008.