Election Commission has sought a report from the lucknow district

Election Commission has sought a report from the lucknow district authorities asking them to confirm whether the function of Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh in the state capital on Thursday is a violation of the model code of conduct.

``Election Commission had reportedly made it clear that ``Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna’ programme should not be organised in the area where by-polls were underway”, confirmed   State Chief Electoral Officer(CEO) Umesh Sinha. “ I learnt through media that a programme in which Rajnath Singh participated in Indira Gandhi Pratisthan come in lucknow-East Assembly constituency where by-polls are on so I sought a report in this regard from the lucknow District Magistrate on the matter,” he claimed while talking to media persons here on Thursday afternoon.  Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had inaugurated the Pradhanmanti Ja Dhan Yogjna here at Indira Gandhi Prathisthan in Gomti Nagar area on Thursday. However, sources confirmed that the venue not comes under lucknow (East) seat so it not comes under the preview of violation of model code of conduct.

EC has also asked the lucknow district authorities to review the report on the violation of the election model code of conduct by BJP president Amit Shah during his visit to the state capital on August 19 last. “The district officials are again watching the video footage and other relevant evidences on the violation of the norms by Shah on August 19 ,while coming to the state party office from airport,” confirms Umesh Sinha.  It may be mentioned that Shah, on his maiden visit to lucknow after becoming the party president, came to the state party headquarters in a procession for which permission was not taken from the district authorities.

Meanwhile Election Commission rejected the demand of the opposition parties to postpone the by-election in three assembly constituencies due to floods and deployment of Central forces in all the polling booths during the by-elections to 11 assembly and one lok Sabha seats in the state. “The flood situation in the three constituencies of Nighasan, Balha and Bijnore have improved and there is no question of any postponement of the polling there,” said Umesh Sinha. He claimed that EC was in touch with the district authorities of all the three assembly constituencies and they have reported that

the flood waters have receded and they are fully prepared for the elections.” But still we are keeping a close watch on the situation in these three assembly constituencies. The situation in Nighasan and in Bijnore is totally normal but in Balha in Bahriach district,the condition is fast returning  normal,” he further added.

The CEO said that there is no such rule to deploy Central forces at all the booths in the by-elections but all measures would be taken to ensure free and fair elections.” There would be Central forces for the election duty but we cannot ensure that only Central forces would be deployed at the booths,” he stated. “All the polling stations would have micro observers with full video- recording. Web-casting would be done from all those polling booths where internet facilities would be available,” he stated saying that every step has been taken to ensure free and fair polls.

The EC has also reviewing the demand of the Opposition political parties for removing the district and police officials engaged in the poll duties. While BJP has demanded removal of the Moradabad SSP, the Apna Dal has given an application to the EC to remove the District Magistrate and SSP of Varanasi. “ We are looking into the matter and if any action will be considered than they would inform the media about the development,” Sinha stated.  The EC has also set up a call centre (18001801950) in the state capital to register any complaint about the violation of the model code of conduct or any other matter.  Meanwhile representatives of the political parties met the CEO, Umesh Sinha and apprised their demands for holding a free and fairs elections in the state. “ We have noted down all the demands of the representatives of Samajwadi Party, BJP and Congress and due action would be taken at the appropriate time,” he stated.  By-elections to 11 assembly seats—Saharanpur(sadar), Bijnore, Thakurdwara, Noida, Nighasan,lucknow(east), Hamirpur, Charkhari, Sirathu Balha and Rohaniya along with lone Mainpuri lok Sabha seat would be held on September 13 from 7am  to 6pm on September 13. The counting would take place on September 16.