Three district magistrates of Odisha under ECI scanner: H S Brahma

BHUBANESWAR: At least three District Magistrates of Odisha are under the scanner of the Election Commission of India ( ECI) for their alleged partisan conduct while managing election affairs, official sources said today.

"We met representatives of eight political parties today. Five of the eight parties have complained against three district magistrates engaged as election officers in their jurisdictions. The commission is verifying allegations against the DMs," Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Nasim Zaidi said after taking stock of preparedness for the ensuing twin elections to Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly.

Brahma refused to divulge names of the district magistrates, but said the ECI will initiate action against the three officers if allegations are found correct.

Stating that the ECI was taking feedbacks from different political parties in order to maintain transparency,

said they (parties) have requested to conduct the elections with full neutrality.

"The parties also requested and suggested the ECI to provide adequate security to candidates and leaders in Left wing extremism hit areas, equal facilities for all parties to conduct rallies, meetings and campaign," Brahma said, adding the ECI has made elaborate arrangement to check the possible use of black money in elections.

Brahma said ECI has directed providing single window in all districts so that the parties get required permission at one place instead of running from place to place.

Zaidi said no Bharat Nirman volunteers would be used in election activities. Earlier ECI had received allegation of use of Bharat Nirman volunteers in poll activities.

Replying to a question of the vote boycott threat by different communities, Brahma said ECI has certain mechanism to persuade the voters to exercise their franchise in the general elections. However, he did not reveal the method of convincing the people to come to polling booths.

The Election Commissioners said adequate security arrangement have been made to conduct peaceful polling in Maoist-hit districts bordering Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.