NEW DELHI: The Election Commission Tuesday ruled out any change in the June 22 poll date for parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Punjab.
Deputy election commissioner R P Bhalla told reporters here that the commission has asked all the 39 central observers to leave in the next two to three days for Punjab and report to the commission on the law and order situation and poll preparedness.
Bhalla said that the central observers who would be given heavy security would be provided with a guide and wireless set. This would be their first visit in connection with the elections in Punjab.
Asked if the commission had received any communication from the home ministry regarding the government’s stand that the elections should not be postponed in Punjab Bhalla said he was not aware of any such communication.
He said the observers had been told during a meeting Monday presided by chief election commissioner T N Seshan that they would have to report impartially and objectively about any poll irregularities in the troubled state and lend their guidance in holding of free and fair elections.
Bhalla said three observers had been deputed by the commission for each of the 13 parliamentary constituencies in the state. Each observer would also look after the holding of polls in three assembly segments
Left parties boycott
The CPI and CPI-M Tuesday decided jointly not to participate in the elections in Punjab slated for June 22 following refusal by the election commission and the federal government to postpone the polls there in the wake of increasing attacks on contestants.
Leaders of the CPI-M polit bureau and CPI central secretariat said in a joint statement here we are constrained to take this decision in view of loss of precious lives and grave danger to all political workers and who wish to participate in the campaign.
The increase in violent activities since notification of elections made it necessary to delink the elections.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 14, 1991
