CHENNAI: Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Thursday asserted that the Election Commission would put in place an effective mechanism to check influence of money and distribution of freebies during the ensuing Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu, at an appropriate time. However, the CEC did not divulge the nature of the mechanism to be enforced.
Addressing a press conference at the end of two-day review of arrangements for forthcoming Assembly elections in the State, the CEC said “all political parties have expressed concern over the distribution of money, liquor and freebies during the election time. The Commission will re-design its mechanism to curb these menaces and will put it in place at an appropriate time.”
When asked Tamil Nadu had been witnessing scientific method of distribution of money and freebies to voters and how the
EC was going instill confidence among the voters in this election, the CEC said : “The mechanism will be unveiled at the right time.”
A special drive would be held for purification electoral rolls from February 15 to 29 across the State during which multiple entries and dead voters would be deleted from the rolls, the CEC said and added that the Voter’s Verifiable Paper Audit Trial System would be implemented in 17 Assembly constituencies across the State during the Assembly elections.
NC Swain, Director (EE), Dhirendra Ojha, Director, Sudeep Jain, Director General, Sandeep Saxena, Achal Kumar Joti, Election Commissioner, Om Prakash Rawat, Election Commissioner, Umeah Sinha, Deputy Election Commissioner and Rajesh Lakhoni, Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu were present.