Ec Orders Repoll In Patna

The Election Commission yesterday ordered repoll in Patna parliamentary constituency. Fresh dates are yet to be finalised.

The commission has directed transfer of senior administrative officials of the district including the distrcit magistrate, the DIG range and SSP Patna.

The decision was based on the report of the Commissions inquiry and independent on complaints of poll irregularities in Patna.

The Commission is yet to decide the fate of Madhepura Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar and Baghpat constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Sources said the Commission would act tough there also.

Janata Dal president Sharad Yadavs advocate A K Verma contended that former Bihar Chief Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav resorted to booth capturing .

 

He submitted a 419-page document to the Commission to build the case for repoll in 431 of the 1559 polling booths in Madhepura. Sharad Yadav is contesting from Madhepura. Samata Partys candidate from there NK Singh demanded repoll in 797 constituencies.

Laloo Yadavs lawyer, however, argued that the polling was peaceful and free and fair. Terming the press reports about booth capturing and rigging as false, he said that Sharad Yadav did ot have any support in Madhepura. He pointed out to anomalies in the number of seats where Sharad yadav and NK Singh had demanded repoll and claimed that these figuees were concocted.