CHENNAI: Around 8,000 polling booths in Tamil Nadu have been identified as sensitive, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Qureshi said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference after holding discussions with the leaders of recognised political parties in the State on the forthcoming Assembly elections, the CEC said the sensitive booths were identified in two categories — law and order issues and money distribution.
During the discussions, the parties welcomed the steps taken by the Election Commission (EC) so far. According to the CEC, they hailed the monitoring of election-related spending by political parties. He said the leaders wanted security arrangements in all polling booths beefed up and cameras installed. As of now, the commission has decided to install cameras only in 10,000 booths.
Based on the demand made by political parties, Qureshi said voter slips would be distributed a week ahead of the polling day.
The EC would consider request for separate queue for senior citizens as well.
Admitting that tackling money distribution-related issues was a big challenge in Tamil Nadu, Qureshi said money flow would soar as the election date nears. He, however, added that the EC would put up strong measures in place to control it ahead of the elections.
Rejecting parties’ demand for extending the campaign time to 11 pm, the CEC pointed out that the time limit was in accordance with a Supreme Court order. “After 10 pm, they should not use loud speakers,” Qureshi said.
On a month’s gap between polling and counting, he said EVMs would be safeguarded by paramilitary forces. “Political parties are allowed to send their agents to keep an eye round-the- clock. We will also have closed circuit TVs in rooms where EVMs would be kept. We are examining the feasibility of installing cameras in all such rooms,” he said.
On complaints against election officers, Qureshi said, “We do not take complaints on face value, but will cross-check. We will change some officers for sure, if need be.”