Misuse of money, inflow of drugs big challenge in Punjab: EC

The Election Commission is seriously concerned over the possibility of huge distribution of cash and inflow of drugs in the run-up to the Punjab Assembly polls even as it promised an adequate security apparatus to maintain peace and harmony at the hustings.
The full Election Commission under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi winded up its two-day visit to Punjab today after collecting "valuable inputs from all the stakeholders".
"Our biggest challenge in Punjab is to ensure that the Model Code of Conduct is strictly adhered to, peace and harmony are maintained...No clashes take place, misuse of money and inflow of drugs are effectively checked," Zaidi told reporters here.

He said an "unprecedented" deployment of central forces will be ensured in the poll-bound state to instill confidence among the voters to exercise their franchise "fearlessly".
Zaidi, however, did not divulge how many companies of central forces will be deployed in the state. Already, 50 companies of central forces have been deployed in Punjab.
"Unauthorised cash movement from different channels might take place in the state for which, a strict vigil will be kept by the enforcement agencies...On inputs, the authorities concerned will pounce upon those involved in distribution of cash," he said.

Referring to the incidents of stone-pelting and hurling of objects at candidates during campaigning, the CEC said the commission had directed the state police chief to take steps to ensure that such instances were stopped immediately.

"Strict action will be taken against those involved in throwing stones and objects at the candidates during campaigning," he said.
When his attention was drawn towards an incident in Lambi Assembly segment where a person had hurled a shoe at Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Zaidi said, "The DGP has been asked to look into it and take stern action."
He said the commission was against speeches inciting violence and added that if a complaint was brought to its notice in this regard, strict action will be taken.
When asked about the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal's complaint against AAP candidate and MP Bhagwant Mann for delivering "instigating" speeches during campaigning, Zaidi said it was "under consideration".

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Zaidi said since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, 304 unauthorised gunmen attached with leaders of political parties had been withdrawn in Punjab.
"The DGP has been asked to review the authorisation of gunmen attached with political personalities and further withdraw them," he added.
The EC took a strong note of photographs of politicians pasted on subsidised food items distributed among the blue card holders in the state.
"Such photographs will be removed immediately and the food will only be distributed among such people by the officials associated with the commission," said Zaidi.
On banners and posters in some villages issuing warnings to certain political leaders to desist from entering those places, the CEC said it will be looked into by the officers of the commission.

He asserted that no political advantage could be taken out of 'tirath yatras'.
The commission had also taken note of appointments of "political people" made to various boards and corporations, said Zaidi.
"Now, these boards and corporations will function under the control of EC officials," he added.
Zaidi said representatives of various political parties had requested that the action of certain officials, both on the civil as well as on the police side, should be kept under strict vigilance and those found favouring any political party or candidate must be brought to book.
"Political parties have informed us that large-scale liquor, drugs and cash distribution might take place in certain identified pockets and they have requested strong and forceful preventive action.

"They have also drawn our attention towards some blue cards, carrying photos of political leaders, being used which is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct and which disturbs the level-playing field," he said.
The political parties have also brought to the notice of the commission that huge security covers were provided to a number of political persons, some authorised while others were not, and that these securitymen were being "used" by these political leaders to "intimidate" voters, said the CEC.
The parties have also informed the commission that many political leaders were moving around in big convoys, he added.

"We have assured them that effective steps will be taken as regards the points they have raised," Zaidi said.
The EC was trying to create an atmosphere where the voters
could exercise their franchise without any fear, Zaidi said.
General and police observers have been appointed In Punjab who will report to the commission, he added.
All district and police officials have been directed to step up vigil against the anti-social and "goonda" elements, said the CEC.
"We have directed that all the jails of the state will be regularly inspected and subjected to surveillance," he added.
"We have directed the state administration officials and the DGP and the Chief Secretary has directed the DG, Security to review cases where a large number of gunmen have been provided (to any political leader) in an unauthorised manner," said Zaidi.

He added that webcasting will be done at 4,000 polling stations and videography will also be conducted at most of the polling stations.
The CEC said "very good" progress has been made as regards licensed arms being deposited, adding, "63 per cent of the licenced arms have been deposited so far."
The EC has directed district and state officials to mount surveillance to prevent cross-border smuggling of drugs and liquor from the neighbouring states as well as from across the international border, he said.
Prisons in general will be brought under special surveillance during the election period, Zaidi said, adding that video cameras were being installed in the Central Jail as well as in the district jails.

All the district and police officials have been asked to take action against trouble-mongers, those who have jumped bail and proclaimed offenders, he said.
Voter-Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) will be used in 35 Assembly constituencies for which, 9,500 machines will be installed, he added.
Zaidi said provisions have been made for electronic transmission of votes by defence and central forces personnel in five Assembly constituencies.
The commission has asked the officers to be "neutral and unbiased" and not to follow "unlawful instructions from political people", he added.
Punjab will go to polls on February 4.