The The Election Commission (EC) on Thursday sought an explanation from Punjab's Chief Secretary and the Deputy Commissioner of Sangrur to explain why they sought extension of polling time towards closing hours at 4 P.M. without any new facts appearing on the day of polling, thereby attempting to influence a section of voters.
It said the letter of the Returning Officer and a subsequent request by the Chief Secretary at 4:05 P.M. amounted to "attempt to unduly interfere in the election process and influence a certain class of voters by conveying them to expedite voting or wait for time extension." The commission condemns such behaviour by the officers during the election process, it said.
In a strongly-worded letter to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab, the EC expressed "displeasure" on the "unwarranted communication making request for extension of poll timing on polling day for reasons which pre-existed even during notification of the by-election."
Officials said the plea taken to extend time was that people were still working in the paddy fields. It was a fact which was already known when the notification was issued.
"I have been directed to state that a detailed explanation from the Chief Secretary and Returning Officer shall be called regarding reasons and circumstances and new facts that arose on the afternoon of polling day, necessitating writing of such a letter so as to reach the Commission by Friday 1.00 P.M. to take a further decision on initiating disciplinary proceedings," the letter by an EC Secretary said.
The Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated after Bhagwant Mann won a seat in the Punjab Assembly elections recently and became the State's Chief Minister.