EC Asks Punjab CS, Sangrur DC to Explain Why They Sought Extension of Voting Time

The EC Thursday requested Punjab’s chief secretary and the deputy commissioner of Sangrur to elucidate why they sought extension of polling time in the direction of closing hours saying it amounted to “try of unduly interfering within the election course of and affect sure class of voters”. It mentioned the letter of the returning officer and subsequent request by the chief secretary at 4:05 pm quantity to “try of unduly interfering within the election course of and affect sure class of voters by conveying them to expedite voting or watch for time extension”.

The fee condemns such behaviour by the officers throughout election course of, it mentioned. In a strongly-worded letter to the chief electoral officer of Punjab, the EC expressed “displeasure” on the “unwarranted communication making request for extension of ballot timing on the ballot day for causes which pre-existed even throughout notification of the by-election”. Officers mentioned the plea taken to increase time was that folks have been nonetheless working in paddy fields. It was a reality which was already recognized when the notification was issued.

“I’ve been directed to state that detailed rationalization from the Chief Secretary and Returning Officer shall be known as concerning causes and circumstances and new information that arose within the afternoon of polling day necessitating writing of such letter in order to achieve Fee by tomorrow (Friday) 1.00 pm to take additional resolution on initiating disciplinary proceedings,” the letter by an EC secretary mentioned. The Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll was necessitated after Bhagwant Mann gained a seat within the Punjab meeting polls just lately and have become the state chief minister.

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