Only Assam wants three-phase poll: CEC

NEW DELHI, March 12: The Assam government citing the need for massive deployment of additional para-military forces in the State owing to threats from the outlawed ULFA and the Bodo militant groups has called for a three-phase election in the State. Assam was however, the only State to suggest a phase-wise poll, as all other States going to polls asked for a one-day poll. "Barring Assam all the other four States wanted one-day election." Disclosed the Chief Election Commissioner MS Gill, briefing newsmen after a meeting with the State Chief Secretaries, Director General of Police, Chief Electoral Officers of the States facing Assembly elections. The CEC, however, declined to reveal when the poll schedule would be announced saying the process had just begun. The Election Commission officials after taking into account the requirements of the States are now meeting the Ministry of Home Affairs officials on Wednesday to take stock of the availability of the central forces for election duty. "After taking all the inputs we will sit and frame a schedule internally before the final notification is announced," Gill added. Meanwhile, Assam may also be the only State not to have extensive use of the electronic voting machines. A hint to the effect was given by Gill, who said that in Assam there would be limited use of the electronic voting machines, as the State did not use them during the last polls. As for the rest of the four States, all of them asked for voting through electronic voting machines. The EC has so far indicated that use of electronic voting machines may be limited to Guwahati only. Meanwhile, the Assam Government represented by its Chief Secretary, PK Bora, DGP, HK Deka and Home Secretary, ML Baruah reiterated what the State Chief Minister, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta had pleaded with the CEC. Mahanta during his weekend meeting with the CEC had called for three-phase elections, and adequate deployment of para-military forces to check the militants from disrupting the poll process. The State government's stand is however, in direct contrast with the Congress party's views. A delegation of the Congress party MPs are planning to meet the CEC to request him to hold a one-day poll in the State. "We fear that the ruling AGP would use the SULFA cadres to rig the polls," said a senior Congress MP. On the other hand, the AGP leader has informed the EC that they apprehend that the ULFA will mobilise its cadres against the regional party to disrupt the polls and target its workers. They referred to the last two Parliamentary elections to buttress their claim. The CEC, when asked, said they would take note of all the factors before taking a final decision. The meeting today had a detailed discussion on the poll schedule, security arrangements, use of electronic voting machines, and voter identity cards. Gill said they are keen to ensure that voters have some form of identification to check bogus voting. In this case, the issue may not have relevance for Assam as less than one per cent of its electorate have so far been issued with voter identity cards. But the CEC today indicated that voters identification may be made compulsory. UNI adds: Asked about the poll schedule, Gill said this would be finalised only after a meeting on Wednesday between Deputy Election Commissioners Subhas Pani and Sayan Chatterjee and senior Union Home Ministry officials on deployment of central forces during the State elections. Describing today's meeting as 'good and detailed', Gill said apart from the poll schedule, the discussions focussed on security deployment, use of EVMs, photo identity cards and compulsory voter identification, the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct and good poll practices by political parties. In a veiled warning to political parties in Tamil Nadu not to overstep electoral discipline, Gill said the private and cable television channels run by people affiliated to various political parties should exercise restraint and not encourage violence between communities and groups. Similarly, wasteful expenditure on cut-outs and wall graffiti should be avoided in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal respectively, he added. Refusing to answer a question about former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK leader Jayalalitha's eligibility to contest the Assembly elections following her conviction in a corruption case, Gill said it was not for the Commission to respond to this. "There are rules and laws on these matters which apply equally to all," he added.