Sampath thanks voters for making 2014 election historic

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Chief Election Commissioner V. S Sampath on Friday thanked the people of India for coming out in large numbers to vote and for making the 2014 general elections historic in terms of breaking the voter turnout record.

"Despite of a very hot summer; the Indian electorate turned up in large numbers. People voted in huge numbers. In the history of India, we have had an unprecedented voter turnout this time. Womens' participation has been the highest ever in India," Sampath said.

He also stated that the Election Commission followed certain standard protocols to ensure that untoward incidents which had happened in the course of polls could be contained.

"There were some untowardly incidents. However, there is a standard protocol prescribed for all such things. During the course of election campaigning, the election commission has been giving its decisions on them. Sometimes, the commission is not palatable to the affected people. All these have to be kept within the limits of decency and decorum," he added.

On the issue of BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, being denied permission to hold a rally in a congested area of Varanasi during the last phases of the polls, Sampath said, "We have stated clearly on this issue; It is the district administration that gives permission for this."

On the issue of EC dropping action against BJP office in Varanasi, he said, "Based on inquiry reports; we did not find anything as such, so we have dropped it."

In reference to some hate speeches which were made during the polls by some leaders during elections, Sampath firmly said, "The EC will show zero tolerance for hate speeches."

On the issue of some parties expressing concern of rigging and poll malpractices taking place during the election, he remarked, "We have definite procedures to identify those places before re-polling. This has already being clarified by me; we are been working together."

He also added that print outs of the copy of results from each Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) at each round will be given.