Chief Election Commissioner moved over Assam poll-related issues

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The political parties under 'Mahajot' (Grand Alliance) have jointly requested the CEC (Chief Election Commissioner), ECI (Election Commission of India), for arranging the counting of votes uniformly in all LACs (Legislative Assembly Constituencies). The vote-counting process is slated on May 2.

In a letter to the CEC, leaders of the different parties of 'Mahajot' — including APCC (Assam Pradesh Congress Committee) president Ripun Bora — have further drawn the attention of the CEC to several other issues "for your immediate intervention and necessary action".

The issues as mentioned in the letter are as follows, "That sir, the 'Model Code of Conduct' of the Election Commission of India is still in force in Assam and it will continue till the declaration of the result.

"The status of the present ruling Government of Assam headed by the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is that of a caretaker government only. But the Chief Minister, Assam and Health & Finance Minister are deliberately violating the 'Model Code of Conduct' of the Election Commission of India. Since April 23, 2021, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is visiting many districts like Nagaon, Morigaon, and Majuli among others and holding discussions there with the officials of different departments.

"Similarly, Health & Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Minister of State Health & Family Welfare Pijush Hazarika are also separately visiting Nagaon, Morigaon, and Dima Hasao districts; and holding discussions with government officials in each district.

"This is not only violating the 'Model Code of Conduct' of the 'Election Commission of India' but also grossly violates the COVID protocols. Moreover, Himanta Biswa Sarma is making so many declarations officially through the media about the government's policy on COVID protocols, etc. We think that at this political-transition period where the status of the government is a caretaker government, no Minister should visit any district, nor hold any official discussions with government officials and should not announce any policy matter of the government in respect of any department.

"Under such circumstances, the frequent official visits of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance & Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, to different districts have created strong doubts in the minds of the public.

"As you know during these days, the EVMs are being kept in strong rooms at the district and sub-divisional headquarters, and the people in Assam are talking about some media reports about looting of EVMs, manipulation of EVMs by the ruling party by misusing government machinery; at such moments the visits of Chief Minister or any Ministers to the district or sub-divisional HQs are totally unwanted.

"Therefore, we urge you to restrain the Chief Minister, Health & Finance Minister or any other Minister of the Assam government to make official visits to any place and to make official comments on policy matters of the government in the interest of maintaining transparency and strict compliance of the 'Model Code of Conduct' of the Election Commission of India."

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