The Election Commission has advised the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, Digvijay Singh, to restrict visits of ministers to the minimum to Chhindwara, where the Lok Sabha by-election is to be held on February eight. This is in order to allay any fears of undue pressure on official machinery.
Expressing concern over the reported tour of ten ministers to Chhindwara after the model code of conduct came into force, the Commission said the state government should avoid the visits of large number of ministers within the district at a given point of time.
In a letter to the state chief secretary, the Commission said this may be brought to the notice of the Chief Minister and the commissions concern conveyed appropriately.The step was taken on the basis of reports about the visits of a large number of ministers to Chhindwara after the announcement of polls, deputy election commissioner, Subhash Pani, told newsmen here .
While the Commission noted that the ministers had reportedly visited the district in their private capacity, it expressed concern at their presence ministers simultaneously in the district where by-election is to be held, Pani said. You will no doubt agree that not only should a level playing field be maintained between contesting candidates but also it should appear to be so on ground, the commission in its letter said. In order to allay any fears of undue pressure on official machinery due to the presence of such a large number of ministers and of any doubt in the minds of the public regarding vitiation of the poll process, the Chief Minister would be well advised to restrict the visits of ministers to the minimum, the commission said.
The commission is sending two expenditure observers and two general observers to Chhnidwara, Pani said.
