Since the model code of conduct came into force in Madhya Pradesh, 2050 FIRs have been lodged and cases have been registered against 27 candidates over non-submission of details of expenses incurred in election campaign.
While talking to media persons here on Monday, Chief Electoral Officer MP VL Kantha Rao claimed that as many as 836 complaints of poll code violation were received till polling and afterwards 25 complaints have been raised.
Out of total 2899 candidates, Rao said, 2367 had furnished details of expenses within the given time-limit and notices were served to 532 who failed to do so. Out of this, cases under Representation of the People Act, 1951 were lodged against 27 candidates who even failed to respond to commission’s notices.
“Three poll officers have been suspended while ten others have been served show cause notices over slackness in duty,” Rao said.
Informing the media about counting on Dec 11, the CEO said close to 15,000 staffers have been deployed for the counting which would get underway at 8 am with the counting of postal ballots and EVMs would be opened at 8.30am onwards. After the counting of votes in every assembly constituency, a VVPAT would be picked randomly and its slips would be counted and matched with the votes polled in corresponding EVM.
Sharing vital information, the CEC said after every round of counting, the counting officers would compile the EVM wise data in a tabulation sheet certified copy of which would be given to candidates and the an announcement of counting would be made.
“The next round of counting would commence only after this,” he added.
When asked whether process of tabulation is being implemented as part of standard procedure or upon insistence from any particular party, Rao replied it’s a standing order from the Election Commission of India.
To add, several Congress leaders were demanding disbursement of certified copies of counting after every round after several of the EVMs malfunctioned on the day of polling and several EVMs reached two or three day at district headquarters after the day of polling.
In a bid to allay fears on EVM tampering accusations from various political parties, the Chief Electoral Officer briefed the media about safety of EVMs till the day of counting.
The EVMs had to reach String Rooms by Nov 28 night or Nov 29 morning and were sealed inside the Strong Rooms after the candidates noted down the serial numbers of these machines. The reserve or unused EVMs were kept at a ‘separate’ godown after polling.
Rao accepted the submission of these reserve/unused EVMs was delayed by a day or two at certain places.
The EVMs are kept in triple layered security including the security cover from central para-military forces, state armed force and the outer ring manned by the district police and no one is allowed to enter the Strong Room without frisking or with mobile phones.