The Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M) delegation here on Sunday called on Election Commissioner Naseem Zaidi and Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathi and handed over a six-point memorandum addressed to Chief Election Commissioner of Election Commission of India (ECI).

CPI-M State secretary Badal Saroj later in a statement informed that we have demanded to remove Sangh members from the election duty besides taking the opportunity to appreciate the step taken by the ECI to conduct mock poll before the start of polling during this lok Sabha Election which we feel should minimise any hindrance in the EVMs.

Saroj further said that it has come to the notice of our party that funds released for payment of wages to various Governmental agencies like MNREGA etc.The local authorities are demanding and collecting 2% (Commission more than the prevalent rates) of the funds being distributed in the name of election fund particularly in the rural area. 

This falls in the category of corruption and violation of code of conduct. This should be immediately forfeited and stringent action is taken against the officials and the State Administration.He said it has also come to the notice of the party that hoardings for publicity of BJP candidates are put up by unknown outside agencies in various towns and cities even without the knowledge of local party leaders.

Surprisingly, permission for keeping the hoardings is obtained within no time from the district administration.  Such activities should be stopped immediately and it should be mandated that even in hoardings the name and address of the publisher be printed like in the case of posters and leaflets.

He said that we have also demanded that the flow of money should be restricted. It had been announced through various media that the BJP national headquarter is handing out Rs20 crore each to each constituency and the State leadership is handing out Rs10 crore per constituency. This is in addition to the money spent on media campaigns and other means.  Now, it has become necessary in the interest of national economy that such huge amount of expenses is curtailed. 

No doubt this money will be used to bribe the voters, which again is a violation of code of conduct.He said it had come in the open that during the last two days prior to Assembly elections 108 numbered ambulances were used to ferry liquor and money to be distributed among poorer sections of the voters.This was possible due to the fact that the police and commission officials usually do not check ambulance.

To strictly stop this corruption practice, strict instructions should be issued to the officials, and ambulances should also be intercepted and checked.The CPI-M also demanded that misuse of State Government machinery in the name of religious and sentimental feelings should also be curbed.