Panchayat polls: EC issues instructions for fair elections

Haryana State Election Commission today issued instructions for the smooth conduct of multi-phase Panchayat Elections, scheduled for January next year, in a peaceful, fair manner and for maintenance of the law and order in the State.
Stating this here today, State Election Commissioner, Rajeev Sharma said that police should start mopping up operation of the areas infested with "known goondas and bad elements about seven days prior to the polls."
"During such mopping operation, special attention should be paid to unearthing and seizing unlicensed arms and ammunition," he said, according to an official release here.
He said that all the license-holders would be directed to deposit their weapons with the district administration before the last date for the withdrawal of candidatures.

"The district administration would make foolproof arrangements for keeping the deposited firearms in safe custody. Proper receipt must be given to the license holders depositing the firearms. It would be the bounden duty of the district administration and police authorities to ensure that all firearms deposited with the administration are returned to the license holders immediately after one week of the declaration of results," he stated.
Sharma said that no new arms licenses would be issued during the period when Model Code of Conduct will remain in force in view of the Panchayat polls.

"An order would be issued prohibiting carrying of all licensed firearms and lethal weapons during this period," he said.

He said that adequate police personnel would be deployed at the polling stations, counting centres for security and maintenance of law and order to ensure peaceful, smooth and fair election.
"Adequate wireless sets would be provided to improve communication for meeting any law and order problem of emergent nature. Strict vigil would be kept over movement of undesirable elements and vigorous check would be carried out to prevent men and vehicles moving with arms and ammunition," he further said.
Meanwhile, the process of filing nomination papers of all the wards of 21 Zila Parishads in the State is to take place between today and December 29, 2015 from 10 am to 3 pm.

IAS and HCS officers have been appointed as Election Observers in all districts of the State in order to conduct the Panchayat Elections, in a free, fair and transparent manner, Sharma added.