No evidence on DGP’s involvement in election campaign: Rawat

SHILLONG, FEB 16: The Election Commission today said that it is yet to lay its hands on any evidence with regards to the alleged involvement of the state’s director general of police (DGP) in “campaigning” for the ruling Congress party.

“So far, we have not been able to lay our hands on any evidence but the process is on and whatever emerges the commission will take a call then and there,” Chief Election Commissioner of India, Om Prakash Rawat told journalists here on Friday.

In a complaint to Rawat on Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the immediate removal of the DGP SB Singh for allegedly involved in openly campaigning for the chief minister Mukul Sangma.

“We request the commission to consider immediate removal of the DGP SB Singh and appointment of a neutral DGP by the Election Commission,”the BJP said in a complaint submitted during a meeting convened by the chief election commissioner.

The ECI team led by Rawat, who were on a two-day visit to the state to assess the poll preparedness of the state, also met the representatives of different political parties besides officials of the state government.

Rawat also informed that the Commission had taken immediate note on the complaint and had also put the ball polling and start gathering the facts.

“Some facts have come and other facts will be coming later. Whatever facts gathered till now, it appears that NPP complaint about this issue first but they withdrew the complaint later,” he said.

The BJP in its complaint had alleged that the revival of militancy in Garo Hills region before the Assembly elections is a “ruse” by the chief minister Mukul Sangma to rig elections in his constituency (Ampati).

Asked on how serious is the militancy problem in Garo Hills region, the chief election commissioner however said that the problem was not that serious.

“When we interacted with the DGP and police officials, we were told it is not that serious. However, we are keeping a strict vigil and we are living no stone unturned to ensure that even the slightest aberiation seen anywhere in militancy lines will be nipped in the bud,” he said.

With regards to the incident where a Chinese grenade kept by miscreants on the vehicle of a Congress supporters in one of the constituencies in the state’s capital, Rawat said that whatever action is needed the state police is undertaking in this matter.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has also directed the state administrative to ensure that the alleged influence by the traditional village dorbars over the electorate is addressed to ensure every citizen can exercise their franchise freely during the coming elections.

“The state administrative set up has been conveyed this concern that they have to keep an eye on these kinds of things and ensure there is pressure build up by such village council because they are also democratic institutions,” he said.

Rawat however said all kinds of appeals and persuasion have to be made (to the village council) and if that doesn’t work then adequate enforcement action by the administration will be taken.

He also informed that CAPF personnel are deployed in advance to curb the use of muscle power.

“They (CAPF) are doing area domination exercises to build confidence among the electors that now adequate enforcement is there so they should feel free and should be exercising their franchise freely,” he said.

“In case such reports comes to the commission or any officials who are involved in the election process on any such village, immediate action will be taken and we will ensure the confidence building measures are in place in those places,” he added.

Admitting that the Commission is aware of the village council and their influences, Rawat said that village council in the Sixth Schedule state is a legal entity and therefore they will be persuaded not to resolve to any such unlawful means to influence voters.

With regards to the hate speeches, a concern which has been raised by most of the political parties, the chief election commissioner said instructions have been given to the poll machinery in all the districts of the state to ensure that these things are nip on the bud.

“Whatever reports available should be taken up and adequate and effective action should be taken to ensure these do not vitiate the poll process or campaign process in any manner,” he stated.

By Our Reporter