Sena evasive on EC’s diktat on party polls

Dr Gill told media persons that by and large, the response of the recognised national as well as regional parties was satisfactory. “All the seven national parties have submitted their organisational election progress to the Commission. However, regional parties were very slow,” he pointed out.

The CEC said the Commission has convened a meeting of all recognised political parties on May 7 to discuss the model code of conduct, the need to hike the limit on expenditure and other issues of interest. “The overall policy of the Commission is that no segment of the country should remain unrepresented either in the Parliament or the State Legislature. Therefore, we now make a point to conduct the by-elections immediately after the vacancy arises. Without waiting for the limit of six months prescribed under the Constitution, we are trying to hold the elections as early as possible,” he added.

When asked if the Commission was gearing up for mid-term polls, Dr Gill said his office was busy preparing for the ensuing Presidential election, which is scheduled to be held in June, as the term of office of the President expires in July.

Reacting to former CEC T N Seshan’s decision to contest the Presidential election, he said, “it is a free country and as such one is free to participate in any electoral process. But certainly, because of Seshan’s decision, I can also throw my turban in the race after my retirement,” he remarked.

Referring to the issue of identity cards for voters, Dr Gill said, “In Maharashtra though 80 per cent of the electorate have been issued identity cards, 30 lakh voters have refused to be photographed, while 23 lakh indicate occupational absence.”

Dr Gill said he had given specific instructions to all the Chief Electoral Officers to ensure that notice was given to the electorate before removal of names from the electoral register.