Haryana poll dates soon: EC

After reviewing the poll preparedness with various political parties, civil and police officials here, Chief Election Commissioner TS Krishnamurthy today issued a series of instructions for free, fair and peaceful polling for the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the dates of which would be announced "very very soon."

Krishnamurthy first met the leaders of five political parties, including the ruling INLD, the Congress and the BJP and later met civil and police officers, including Chief Secretary Sunil Ahuja and Director-General of Police MS Malik.

"We broadly reviewed the preparedness for the forthcoming elections to the state Assembly whose term ends on March 8," he told a press conference in the evening.

He said the directions and instructions included transfer of officers who have spent 3-4 years at a place.

"Tainted officers", who were not neutral in the last poll, will not be put on poll duty, inter-state borders would be sealed near the election date and the DGP was directed to check rising crime.

The commission would also consider keeping "nominated officers" off poll duty as there were complaints that a number of officers had been nominated to various services, including the Haryana Civil Service, by the state government.

Each of 90 Assembly constituencies would have an observer and there would be special observers to oversee functioning of the observers and ensure smooth conduct of the poll process.

The CEC declined to give any hint of the date of announcement of the elections except saying that it would be done "very very soon." To persistent questioning on the date of elections, Krishnamurthy said, "it would be held before March 9".