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Gill warns parties over violence in Panskura

Issuing a stern warning to political parties in West Bengal, Chief Election Commissioner M S Gill on Wednesday told them to refrain from violence and unfair practices ahead of the June 5 Panskura Lok Sabha by-election.

Stating that the Election Commission has ''enough flexibility of action to ensure a free poll'', Dr Gill said the commission would not stand by as a helpless spectator and was determined to do whatever is necessary to ensure a free and fair poll in Panskura.

At least 12 people were killed over the past weekend in a series of poll clashes between Communist Party of India-Marxist and Trinamul Congress cadres in the Keshpur assembly segment of Panskura, where by-election is being held following the death of veteran CPI leader Geeta Mukherjee.

Dr Gill told reporters that the full Commission had an extensive meeting on Tuesday, where the situation in Panskura and other constituencies where by-elections are being held on May 26 was reviewed.

Extra observers had been sent to Raghopur, Rohri and Soron assembly constituencies of Bihar, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, he said. While Bihar Chief Minister Rabri Devi is contesting from Raghopur, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala's son Abhay is a candidate in Rohri.

The CEC said he was personally in touch with the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer on a daily basis to monitor the situation.

Observing that assembly polls are due in West Bengal in March-April next year, the CEC said the parties in the state should not get the idea that they can get away with violence during elections.

''I want all political parties to ensure that their workers cool it and have a peaceful poll,'' he added.

The CEC said the EC supported the West Bengal CEO's demand for additional police forces for Panskura and wanted these forces to act in a firm manner.

The commission was also insisting on compulsory identification of voters through the EC's voter identity cards or other official documents such as passport, driving license, ration cards and others.

Electronic Voting Machines would be used in Panskura and Aska Lok Sabha constituency in Orissa and the Bhongir (Andhra Pradesh), Kirnapur (Madhya Pradesh) and Soron (Uttar Pradesh) assembly constituencies.

Stating that the EC was keen on expanding the use of EVMs, Dr Gill said the commission currently had about 150,000 of these machines and would like to double the number immediately. Discussions were on in the commission in this regard and efforts would be made to acquire the new EVMs before next year's assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Kerala.

By-elections are being held on May 26 in 10 assembly constituencies and the Aska Lok Sabha constituency. Panskura would have polling on June 5.

The constituencies going to the polls on May 26 are Bhongir (Andhra Pradesh), Karimganj North and Nalabari (Assam), Raghopur and Jamui (Bihar), Kirnapur (MP), Mairang-ST (Meghalaya), Tyai-ST (Nagaland), Soron (UP) and Rohri (Haryana). While the counting of votes in these constituencies would be taken up on May 29, counting would be taken up in Panskura on June 8.

UNI

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