No relaxation to indelible ink rule in Maoist stronghold in Chhattisgarh, says OP Rawat

RAIPUR: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) O P Rawat on Thursday ruled out the proposal to consider relaxing a rule requiring the use of indelible ink for voters in some of the core areas under Maoist-hit south Bastar zone during the first phase of polling on November 12.

Keeping in mind the safety of voters, the Chhattisgarh election officer had given a suggestion to do away with the practice of using indelible ink on the voter’s finger. In the proposal sent on October, the state poll panel had mentioned about possible reprisals by the Maoists against the people, who dared to ignore their diktat of the poll ban.

The ground cited in the proposal was that the Red cadres will identify the people, who exercise their right to franchise. Accordingly, the state election commission had sought a relaxation of this rule.

At a Press conference, Rawat said a proposal was received in connection with the use of indelible in Maoist-affected areas. “The Commission had thoroughly examined it from every aspect. After holding talks with all stakeholders, it was found that nothing had happened due to applying of ink.” Rawat said.

“If we stop applying ink (on finger), it might lead to chances of other irregularities. In places, where such violent people are there, they can do anything,” he asserted.

The Election Commission led by the CEC, after holding a review meeting on the poll preparedness in Raipur, hinted at bringing some change in strategy in the Maoists-affected areas during elections in the wake of the recent Maoist attack in the conflict zone of Bastar.

On October 30, two policemen and a cameraperson of Doordarshan were killed in a Maoist attack in Dantewada district. The attack took place at the forests in Aranpur village.