ECI appoints 3 special observers to monitor photo comparison task Poll code
Certain restrictions relaxed
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10, 2012:
To look into the work of comparing photographs of voters taken on polling day with the photographs affixed on their Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) being done by District Election Officers and Returning Officers as well as to study the merits of the demands for re-poll, the Election Commission of India has appointed three special observers.
For the first time in the electoral history of India, photographs of voters were taken at all polling stations with a view to check proxy voting during polling for the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly held on January 28 and the re-poll held in 34 polling stations on February 4. As the ECI has already declared that re-poll would be held in polling stations if the photographs of voters taken on polling day do not match with the photographs affixed on their EPICs, the three special observers were appointed to study the photo comparison results in advance, informed an official source.
The special observers nominated today are West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta, DK Pandey (as police observer) and the Director of the Ministry of Information Technology Gaurav Dwivedi.
The three special observers are scheduled to land at Imphal on February 12.
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They would oversee the photo comparison work being done by DEOs and ROs and they would stay at Imphal until the assigned task is completed.
The Election Commission would take up further actions based on the comments of the special observers about the photo comparison.
They would also look into the petitions demanding re-poll.
So far, the State Election Department received 85 complaint letters which demanded re-poll in different polling stations.
Meanwhile, the ECI has relaxed certain restrictions imposed under the election model code of conduct.
Minister can now go on tours together with officers except in districts where re-poll is pending.
They can also review and implement ongoing programmes in the field.
They can review projects with field officers barring officers on election duty.
Ministers are also allowed to convene review meetings as well as call, evaluate and finalise bids and award contract works.