BHOPAL : The Congress has complained to the State Chief Electoral Officer about some government officials who, it says, can unduly influence the outcome of the upcoming bye-elections in Maihar.
The CEO has instructed the Satna collector to investigate the complaints.
The complaints were made at an all-party meeting at the CEO office, ahead of the issuance of the notification of the polls on Wednesday. The Congress complained about Patwaris and the RTO of the district working for the BJP and about the district administration launching new development projects in the constituency.
The Joint Chief Electoral Officer SS Bansal informed that the commission had taken the complaints seriously. An inquiry had been instituted into the matter.
Informing about the election programme, he informed that voting for the bye-election will be held on February 13. Candidates can submit their nomination forms from January 20-27 in Satna. Withdrawals will be allowed up to January 30.
2.28 lakh voters, 290 booths; results on Feb 16
As many as 2,28,546 voters including 1,19,973 males, 1,08,565 females and 8 others will decide the winner. Votes will be cast from 7 am to 5 pm in 290 polling booths. The district administration had demanded 900 CAPF personnel for the conduct of the polls. The results will be declared on February 16.
ARO wants checklist in Hindi!
The CEO office is in a quandary following the Assistant Returning Officer for Maihar bye-polls demanding a Hindi version of the checklist for nomination forms. The EC has made only the English version available. The Joint Chief Electoral Officer SS Bansal informed that the 6-point checklist had been prepared for the benefit of the candidates and also for the administrative officials.
‘BJP trying to rig polls’
Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee has accused the BJP of resorting to horse trading and illegal acts in connection with Maihar by-polls. State Congress Spokesman Ravi Saxena alleged that the BJP, seeing no impact of the chief minister’s luring announcements, is resorting to horse trading and illegal acts. Saxena claimed that the BJP, fearing its defeat, did bargaining and got Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) National Vice President Rajaram agree on fielding Ramlakhan Patel from Maihar as a BSP candidate. Saxena said the credibility of Rajaram is also under question as it is known to everyone that the BSP does contest by-polls. Saxena further alleged that when voters of Maihar Assembly did not yield to the luring promises and announcements of the CM, then the BJP, in its known style, threw a trap of horse trading and BSP National Vice President Rajaram fell prey to it.
