Cong urges EC to transfer officials ahead of bypolls in MP

A delegation of Congress leaders from Madhya Pradesh today met Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat and urged him to take steps to ensure free and fair bye-elections in the state, including transfer all officials with "dubious" track record.
The Congress delegation comprising Jyotiraditya Scindia and Vivek Tankha provided a list of state officials who they claimed had a record of favouring the BJP government in the state and urged the Election Commission to transfer them out of the area where bye-elections will be held.
Bye-elections for Kolaras and Mungaoli assembly constituencies will be held on February 24 and results will be declared on February 28. The last date for filing of nominations is February 6.

"It is the BJP's conspiracy...through officials to create an atmosphere of fear and favouritism. We have made a plea before the Election Commission to ensure that the elections are held in a free and fair manner," Scindia told reporters after the meeting.
He said the delegation has provided an entire list of such officials and also their past record citing instances when they have allegedly "favoured" the government.
The Congress leaders also handed over a memorandum to the Election Commission.
"We urge the Election Commission to take all such actions as are necessary in law to for holding a free and fair bye- elections to Mungaoli and Kolaras constituencies of Madhya Pradesh," the memorandum said.

It urged the EC to take actions including directions for registration of offences against persons indulging in "blatant violation of model code of conduct, abuse of government machinery and misuse of power, irrespective of such persons being in high positions of power and authority".