Expressing satisfaction at the level of preparedness for the February 4 Goa Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Sunday said that the poll malpractices received by his office ranged from abuse of money, misuse of Government schemes for attracting voters and potential misuse of casino for money laundering.
Zaidi, who was on a two-day tour, along with other members of the Commission, to Goa, also said that the country’s tiniest State was ideal to test several of the poll-related innovations, especially those on a digital platform. Commission is by and large satisfied with election related activities and preparations of Goa.
“Commission is committed to maintain purity of elections and to deliver free, fair and transparent elections. We have directed the election machinery to be fearless, unbiased, neutral and independent from any influence whatsoever. Conduct and discharge of duties by the election officials would be under constant watch of the Commission. Anyone found wanting on these standards, Commission will not hesitate to take stern action,” Zaidi told reporters in Panaji.
Zaidi also said that ever since the notification of the model code of conduct, the Commission had received a wide range of complaints from political parties in the fray.
"Parties expressed apprehension about abuse of money, distribution of gifts and on possible misuse of withdrawal of cash in Casinos. The parties further stated about likelihood of distribution of gifts in last week before the poll,” the top poll official said.
“It was complained that ruling party is using beneficiary data base of Dovernment schemes for threatening, canvassing and coaxing voters to vote in their favour,” he further said.
Zaidi also said that various measures were being taken to tackle malpractice and added that law and enforcement agencies both local and central had been readied to crack down on them. “Expenditure monitoring machinery has been fully activated and preventive measures are being taken with co-ordinated efforts of Income Tax authorities, banks, narcotics, customs, excise and State taxation authorities and police officials,” Zaidi said.
Commenting on the electoral innovations tried out by the poll authorities in Goa, Zaidi said that electronically transmitted postal ballot System(ETPBS) is being utsed for 40 constituencies in Goa to cover an entire State for the first time under ETPBS.
Percentage of photo coverage Goa’s electoral roll was nearly 100 per cent, while EPIC coverage was 100 per cent.
“Goa will have the distinction of bringing all service voters, 822 in number, under electronic transmissioner to cut down the delay delay involved in postal ballot transmission,” he also said, adding that one polling station in each of the State's 40 constituencies would be manned by an all-women team.