Senior IAS officers will be assigned the task of monitoring each district on the days of polling for the body elections and additional micro observers earmarked for all sensitive booths, said State Election Commissioner S. Ayyar here on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, he said that elaborate arrangements had been made to ensure that the polling, on October 17 and 19, passes off peacefully. All officials drafted for election duty had been instructed about the dos and don'ts through District Election Officers. “The electorate need not have any apprehension…This 2011 elections will set a trend in the history of Tamil Nadu elections as a model since very many proactive steps have been taken in the electorate's interest.”
For the first time, voters will get booth slips directly from the polling staff and no other document will be sought at the time of voting. The voter list is supported by photo identity of each individual. Be it a political party or caste outfit or its leaders, officials have been told to be impartial and there should not be any deviation, Mr. Ayyar said.
So far, 37 persons had been arrested across the State for poll violations such as attempts to auction seats; organising feast or attempt to distribute gifts in cash or kind. The public were welcome to lodge complaints and officials would verify them and take action.
On the deployment of Central forces, the Director General of Police and his team would decide on the exact numbers and draw them from other States as per the need. “Since Tamil Nadu is known as a peace park, we hope there will not be any major problems in the maintenance of law and order.”
To a question on the large number of candidates winning unopposed at different levels, Mr. Ayyar said that there was nothing to suspect and ruled out foul play. The respective District Election Officers had conducted random checks.
“This is probably the first time that for a total of 1,32,401 posts across the State, 4,11,177 candidates are in the fray. The number of candidates coming forward to file nominations is higher than in previous local body elections. The number of rejected nominations is comparatively less at the time of scrutiny in this election.”
Those who did not wish to vote for any candidate could use Form 71 instead of 49 O. On the charge that some candidates could not campaign in Madurai district's sensitive pockets, District Collector U. Sagayam clarified that he had visited Keeripatti and held talks with various sections in the village. Things had been sorted out and there was no problem.
Mr. Ayyar said that within a short period, from the time of announcement of the polls, the SEC authorities had held a series of meetings with police and revenue officials about the arrangements. An all-party meeting was convened with recognised parties.
Earlier, he presided over a review meeting in which District Collectors and Superintendents of Police, Commissioners of Police (Madurai City and Tirunelveli City) and Inspector General of Police (South Zone), among others, participated.
