Election Commission of India (ECI) has been examining the report by Puducherry Government on the alleged backdoor recruitments made in violation of the model code of conduct.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V. Candavelou on Wednesday said, “The Government has submitted its report on the complaint of backdoor recruitments. The ECI has been examining it and will take decision on the complaint soon.”
It may be recalled that political parties including Congress complained to the ECI on illegal backdoor recruitment by the ruling government even after the model code of conduct has come into effect.
Based on the complaint, the ECI sought a report from the Chief Secretary a week ago.
Addressing reporters here, Mr. Candavelou said a formal notification for Assembly polls would be issued by Lieutenant Governor on Friday and on the same day candidates can file nomination along with sworn affidavits before the Returning officer until April 29 except public holidays.
“In addition to the above, candidates have to file an additional affidavit along with ‘no demand certificate’ from the agencies providing electricity, water and telephone,” Mr. Candavelou said. Candidate who have been occupying any government accommodation during the last 10 years should have cleared the rent. A person can file nomination for two constituencies only.
A candidate can take three vehicles to the officer of Returning Officer while filing nomination. Only four members including candidate will be allowed inside the Returning Officer’s chamber.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer, there are 9,48,717 voters in the electoral rolls as on date and over 21,000 voters have been included as there was a continuous process of updation after the release of the final electoral rolls on January 11.
Listing out the facilities to the voters, Mr.Candavelou said for the first in the country, mapping of all differently abled persons have been done and 15,533 differently abled persons have been identified.
The student volunteers would visit them on the day of poll for providing required assistance. Braille ballot papers would be made available in all the polling stations.
He also added that the Commission had deployed three special observers for expenditure monitoring covering the districts of Puducherry, Karaikal, Villupuram and Tiruchi.
