Polling staff to get opportunity to cast their votes: Pb CEO

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer V K Singh today said "special emphasis" will be given to ensure that entire polling staff, both civil and security, could use their right to vote and for that postal ballots or election duty certificates would be issued during Lok Sabha polls.
The steps are being taken following Election Commission of India's direction, Singh said.
Singh said that there would be a monitoring system to keep close eye on any violation of Model Code of Conduct.
The CEO also said that a complaint regarding transportation of bicycles meant for girl students has been received from Sangrur district and said the Punjab Chief Secretary has been asked to get the matter enquired.

Congress MP from Sangrur, Vijay Inder Singla, yesterday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission alleging that two trucks containing bicycles had been seized in his constituency, which were meant for distribution among the students, thus violating the Model Code of Conduct.
"These bicycles had pictures of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on them and were being unloaded for distribution among the students under the 'Mai Bhago Vidhya Scheme'," Singla, who is seeking re-election from Sangrur, had said.

Congress has also made a complaint with Election Commission seeking a ban by Akali Dal's political conference within the Gurudwara premises on the occasion of Hola Mohalla "in violation of MCC".

On the issue of holding Talwandi Saboo by-poll with Lok Sabha elections, the CEO said they have not received any communication regarding this from Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The seat fell vacant after sitting MLA Jeetmohinder Singh Sidhu quit Congress to join the SAD recently.
The Lok Sabha polls for 13 seats of Punjab will be held on April 30.