Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 01 2009:
Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed that the routine security briefing of the Chief Minister or the Home Minister by the DGP or the Intelligence Wing should be stopped and the DGP should avoid addressing any press conference as much as possible, in connection with the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
According to a reliable source, the instruction of the Election Commission given through the Chief Secretary and Chief Electoral Officers of the State Governments has come about following receipt of complaints in connection with continued routine security briefing of the Chief Minister or the Home Minister by the DGP or the Intelligence Wing even after the announcement of the election and enforcement of the model code of conduct of the election.
In case of necessity to brief the Chief Minister or the Home Minister, the instruction of the Election Commission said that it should be undertaken by the Home Secretary or the Chief Secretary who in turn should be briefed by the police agencies.
In case where presence of police agency or official is considered essential in such briefing, the Chief Secretary/Home Secretary may direct the police agency/official concerned to be present, the ECI noted.
The Election Commission has also directed that instead of DGPs who are looking after the election related work addressing press conference, as far as possible press releases should be issued.