RJD upset as EC cracks whip

But the Election Commission remains unfazed. It has discovered there are about two lakh bogus voters in Patna district, with the poll panel’s Special Observer K J Rao saying 70,000 of these have been identified.

“Two lakh names in duplicate have been spotted in the electoral rolls in Patna (district), of which 70,000 have already been established while others are being verified. All anomalies will be corrected before the election,” Rao said.

A state election panel estimate says there are around 28 lakh bogus voters in the state.

Even as electoral rolls are being scrutinised in the districts, RJD spokesman Shivanand Tiwari has demanded that the poll panel allow all those on the voter list to cast their votes. “In the name of electoral reforms the EC is snatching the right of the poor people to exercise their right to vote,” he alleged.

However Rao has cracked the whip against officials, warning them that they must issue photo identity cards in time. The Jehanabad District Magistrate was recently removed on the poll panel’s directive for dragging his feet on issuing identity cards.

But despite the Election Commission’s efforts, two crore voters in Bihar are yet to be issued identity cards. Officials say there are several operational problems which are making it difficult to issue cards in time.

Special Observer Rao is also taking a tough line on execution of non-bailable arrest warrants. District Magistrates have been directed to strike off the names of those against whom non-bailable warrants have been pending for more than six months.

Even though Bihar police chief Ashish Ranjan Sinha says warrants are being executed quickly, there are 3,500 such warrants pending in Patna district alone.

The Election Commission has also cracked down on tainted police officials involved in the poll process. Sources say Rao has sought a list of police officials who face serious charges and is intending to keep them off poll duty. But according to an estimate nearly 500 policemen face criminal charges in Bihar.

Chief Election Commissioner B B Tandon is scheduled to reach Bihar tonight to review poll preparations.