Rajasthan EC holds all party meeting

Election Commission today held a meeting with representatives of political parties to discuss with them arrangements for the Lok Sabha polls slated for April 17 and 24 in Rajasthan and sought their support for free and fair polling.
The commission assured them that their suggestions would be considered to bring transparency, Deputy Election Commissioner Sudhir Tripathi said here.
"We informed the parties about the new directives and arrangements of the election commission to bring transparency that included setting up of a single window for different permissions, new timing of polling from 7 AM to 6 PM in view of hot weather conditions," he told reporters.

He warned that leaving any column in nomination paper may be considered as a valid reason for rejecting a nomination.
"Blank column in nomination paper is violation of right to information of voter. A candidate is required to fill all the columns related with criminal antecedent, if any, assets, liabilities, educational qualification.
"If the candidate leaves the column blank despite Returning Officer's notice, the nominations may be rejected," he said.

He told that to bring transparency in distribution of voter slips, the political parties have been suggested to be a part of the list distribution arrangements.
Tripathi, who will hold a video conferencing with district election officers to review preparedness for the elections tomorrow, said that the Rajasthan election department has been asked to ensure proper arrangements at polling booths including shed, water, fan, ramp among others.

The deputy commissioner also expressed confidence of getting a better voter turn out this time.
"Voter turn out in 2009 LS election in Rajasthan was below 50 per cent but this time we expect a higher turn out like we achieved in Assembly elections last year," he said.
When asked about the commission's stand on the ongoing controversy over the surname of Meena community (Mina or Meena), Tripathi clarified that the commission has nothing to do with it.
"A candidate is required to produce a valid cast certificate issued by a competent authority," he said.