New Delhi: The Election Commission on Thursday
directed the observers appointed for the assembly polls in
five states to examine critical polling stations and monitor
vulnerability mapping to identify the segments vulnerable to
threat and intimidation.
Addressing about 1,000 observers appointed in Tamil
Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, Chief
Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi asked them to tour
extensively in their allotted constituencies to build
confidence among weaker and disadvantaged sections.
The observers would set aside two hours daily, 4 pm
to 6 pm, to redress the complaints of political parties and
candidates, he said.
Quraishi also told them that the affidavits of
candidates detailing their movable or immovable assets,
qualifications, convictions and cases pending in courts should
be displayed prominently and made available for public
scrutiny "without any loss of time".
Noting that the observers would strictly monitor the
enforcement of model code of conduct, he said that they would
constantly review execution of non-bailable warrants, recovery
of illicit arms and collection of licensed arms from
undesirable elements.
The observers have been advised to make sure that
extensive videography is done of all critical events that may
take place during the election process and polling at critical
polling stations, an EC statement said.
PTI
First Published: Friday, March 11, 2011, 00:51