Chennai: A total of 124 Central observers are on poll duty monitoring election work and another 42 expenditure observers will visit Tamil Nadu to monitor poll expenses of political parties, Chief Electoral Officer Rajesh Lakhoni told reporters here on Monday.
Reacting to a query on NHRC’s action in connection with the recent deaths in Tamil Nadu election rallies and public meetings, the CEO said the state administration has been instructed to adhere to Election Commission (EC) norms. The commission had advised political parties to take adequate precautions while conducting public meetings during campaigning.
Similarly, there were also complaints that parties were using vehicles of private educational institutions and trucks to carry public attending meetings. Vehicles that are used for poll campaign without permission will be seized and penalised. In case of serious poll code violations, permits will also be cancelled as per Motor Vehicles Act and EC norms.
To a query on a petition submitted by Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha Thambidurai to the Chief Election Commissioner, the CEO said he had taken note of the petitioner’s concerns. He also clarified that a few news channels were carrying news bulletins stating that poll officials had seized a huge sum during a raid at Pollachi and Korattur. In both the operations conducted by income tax department, no sum was seized, he said.
