The Punjab Congress on Wednesday moved the Election Commission seeking "strict legal action" against Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, his deputy and SAD president Sukhbir Badal, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, SAD-BJP candidate from Amritsar Arun Jaitley and Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct.
In a communiqué to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh, party spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira alleged that these "powerful politicians are flagrantly, blatantly and wilfully defying the Model Code of Conduct, causing impediments for free and fair elections in Punjab". He stated that the Chief Minister and his deputy "openly defied the ban on political conference on the occasion of 'Hola-Mohalla' at Anandpur Sahib on March 16", while Bathinda MP Harsimrat "is misusing gurudwara and Government premises for her publicity".
"The conference was held on religious premises provided by the SGPC, in the vicinity of Gurudwara Kesgarh Sahib. Badal, who is supposed to lead by example himself, flouted the Model Code of Conduct and accused the ECI of being influenced by the Congress Government and Congress party," read the communiqué to the Commission. Harsimrat's pictures are displayed in the premises of the gurudwara in Ghasokhana village and the Government dispensary in Kuttiwal Kalan village, both in Bathinda district. The complaint stated that the photos are displayed promoting Harsimrat's Nanhi-Chaan programme which amounts to influencing the voters in her favour.
The complaint also alleged that Arun Jaitely and Majithia "blatantly flouted and violated" the code by putting up huge hoardings all across Amritsar city, which include many Government buildings and public places.
ECI allows release of fund for medical treatment of patients
The Election Commission of India on Wednesday stated that it has no objection in the release of funds from the Prime Minister's or Chief Minister's relief fund for the purpose of medical treatment of patients. However, it made it clear that it should be ensured that beneficiaries or patients are selected by the concerned Government officials or head of the private hospitals.
As per a communiqué received from the ECI, it has come to its notice that medical assistance under PM's or CM's relief fund is released for treatment of patients in case of heart surgery, kidney transplantation and cancer which are time-bound in nature and can't be postponed without endangering patient's health, a spokesman said.
Wheel-chairs can be rolled in to booths
To ensure special facilities to the differently-abled electors during polling in the general elections, the Election Commission of India has directed that they should be given priority for entering the polling station, without letting them wait in a queue. "All necessary assistance should also be provided to them. Facility should be provided to take their wheel-chairs inside the polling station," a spokesperson said.
In the polling stations, temporary ramps should be provided for the purpose. Besides, polling personnel should be briefed about the provisions of Rule 49-N of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which provide for permitting a companion to a blind or infirm elector to assist him or her to cast the vote, if he or she wishes so.
DC's clean chit in bicycle supply case
The Sangrur Deputy Commissioner, in his report of inquiry into the complaint by local MP and Congress candidate Vijay Inder Singla over distribution of bicycles in violation of the code of conduct, has given a clean chit to the State government.
"The DC in his report has maintained that the bicycles were not for distribution and were kept in the store which was opened by someone and pictures of the same were clicked," said the State Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh. Singla had moved the Commission seeking action against the authorities concerned over distribution of bicycles with Chief Minister's pictures with government schools' girl students in violation of the code. The Congress workers had got hold of two trucks carrying 2500 bicycles, besides a room where bicycles were being assembled to be distributed later, the complaint said.
Atta-Dal probe report with CEO
Punjab Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh has disclosed that the report by the Food and Civil Supplies Secretary in the matter of complaints regarding distribution of foodgrains under the Atta-Dal scheme has been received. "The report has been received, but we are yet to see the reply," he said.
Hola-Mohalla CD under examination
The EC is examining the CDs of recordings of the Hola-Mohalla fair where the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) organised its political conference. "We have the CDs and we are in the process of examining it. A decision will be taken in the next few days,” said VK Singh, Chief Electoral Officer .