WEB DESK
Chief Election Commissioner A K Joti has rejected the opposition’s charge that the poll panel is working under the pressure of ruling party.
In an interview with a news agency, Mr. Joti said the Commission does not meddle in the poll campaign and asserted that no special preference is being given to any political party.
He said the poll body has given equal opportunity to all political parties and has not directed any party to hold or not to hold their rallies in the state.
Mr. Joti said multiple factors including the weather came into play while deciding to hold elections in Himachal Pradesh earlier than Gujarat.
He said political parties and the state administration in Himachal Pradesh had requested to conduct the polls before mid-November as there was the probability of snowfall in three districts of the hill state.
The CEC asserted that the Commission will plan the poll schedule in Gujarat in a way that the outcome of Himachal should not affect the voting in Gujarat.
Further referring to the Gujarat floods, the CEC averred that the state had to undergo restoration before elections could be organised.
Mr. Joti also underlined the fact that the government staff which will carry out the restoration work is the same which will carry out services during the elections.
The CEC said the panel will be preparing a database for the staff as more than 2.5 lakh government employees will be required for election duties.
He also said the Commission has commenced discussions with the Home Ministry with regard to security and administrative staff deployment for the polls in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat.