COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

EC gives teeth to observers, simplifies expense-filing method

The Election Commission's observers will for the first time enjoy the power to halt the vote-counting and declaration of results in the forthcoming Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

Deputy Election Commissioner Subhash Pani said this has been made possible by an amendment to the Representation of the Peoples Act in August 1996 which conferred statutory status on the EC.

The observers will now supervise the counting from the outset. They would be provided exclusive communication facilities at each of the 800-odd counting centres across the country.

"Free and fair polls does not mean just free and fair polling," Pani said, "It means counting also. Counting is part of the overall process of elections."

Pani, who was speaking after five sessions with the EC's 1,800 observers, said elaborate instructions had been issued about the counting process.

''The observers will be constantly in touch with the Commission," he said, "Counting will be better managed this time."

Pani said observers had been directed to inspect the counting centres in advance to see whether the preparations there were in accordance with the Commission's instructions.

In another important decision, the EC simplified the methodology and format for the maintenance of accounts by the candidates in view of the practical difficulties they are facing.

The simplified procedure, though it asks a candidate to maintain his/her expenditure account on a day-to-day basis, would require an inspection of it only once in three days. Further, the candidate need not travel to the constituency headquarters to present his/her accounts. S/he is free to appoint agents assembly segment-wise who could present it to the officials concerned.

The Commission has also revised the format of the abstract statement of election expenses which the candidates have to furnish with their accounts. This is in compliance with the Supreme Court's directions. Accordingly, a candidate will have to furnish details of the expenditure incurred by the political party which has fielded him, and any other political party, association/organisation/body and individuals supporting him.

Pani said an order about the simplification of the methodology and format has been issued. The expenditure observers have been suitably instructed.

Of the 1,800 observers, 1,200 are general officials while 600 are expenditure observers. On an average, each Lok Sabha constituency will have two general and one expenditure observer.

Pani said Chief Election Commissioner Dr M S Gill would visit Maharashtra towards the end of the month, and Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the first week of February to conduct a comprehensive review of arrangements.

Election Commissioner J M Lyngdoh and Deputy Election Commissioner S Chatterjee will visit Varanasi to review the entire arrangements for eastern Uttar Pradesh.

The Commission has also issued clear instructions that officers whose spouses are involved in political activity should not leave their headquarters on tour during the election.

UNI

Tell us what you think of this report