EC allows commanders' conference in U'khand with conditions

A day before it is to be inaugurated in Dehradun by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission tonight gave a go ahead to the Defence Ministry to hold Combined Commanders' Conference in the capital city of poll-bound Uttarakhand.
The Congress had complained to the Commission that BJP may use the event to influence former and serving defence personnel to gain an upper hand in the five poll-bound states -- Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Punjab and Goa.
In his reply the Defence Secretary is learnt to have rejected such suggestions.
In a letter to the Defence Secretary, the Commission said it has "no objection" to holding the conference at Indian Military Academy Dehradun tomorrow.

It said the dignitaries attending the conference should "observe certain conditions".
"The official visit shall not be combined with any public meeting...No media briefing, media interaction, press release, announcement in connection with serving soldiers or ex servicemen, which may effect the voters in five poll going states, including Uttarakhand, should be made," it said asking the Defence Secretary to ensure compliance.
Top commanders of the three forces and senior officers of the government will attend the conference to discuss the security scenario of the country and decide upon future course of action.
It is usually held every year and inaugurated by the PM.