The Hindu : Front Page : EC has “full confidence in Naresh Gupta”

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EC has “full confidence in Naresh Gupta”

L. Srikrishna

MADURAI: The Election Commission of India has full confidence in the functioning of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Naresh Gupta, said Deputy Election Commissioner J. P. Prakash here on Friday.

Addressing a press conference along with the CEO, Mr. Prakash said that the Election Commission had received complaints of bribery, intimidation and poll-related violence, from political parties and candidates contesting the Thirumangalam by-election.

“We have given instructions to the Returning Officer and police officers to deal with them as per law. Stern action will be taken,” he added.

“The Election Commission has made arrangements to tighten the loose ends. The administration is geared up to face the poll. Some areas need to be strengthened and it will be done. Authorities on poll duty have been instructed to build up confidence among voters,” he said.

On complaints from some parties, including the DMK, that the actions of Mr. Gupta gave an impression that he was “one-sided,” Mr. Prakash maintained that they (Election Commission) had full confidence in the CEO and clarified that polling would go ahead as per schedule in the constituency.

Mr. Gupta said that eight companies of Central forces would arrive on January 4 or the next day for poll duty.

Another election observer was expected to be here in a day or two to oversee the arrangements in the constituency.

He also clarified that he was misquoted on the handling of the DMK delegation.

Going ahead with poll

To a query whether the Election Commission would go ahead with the poll, now that major parties were levelling bribery charges against each other, Mr. Prakash said that they had received complaints in this regard from the DMK and the AIADMK.

“We will look into those charges.”

On charges from residents of a few villages that despite being in possession of voter ID cards, their names were missing in the voter list, Mr Gupta said that nothing could be done now.

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