Nation’s democratic practice best in the world, says General Observer, Effat Ara

March 19: General Observer to 6 Hailakandi and 7 Katlicherra LACs, Effat Ara, IAS, said the nation’s democratic practice is the best in the world with checks and balances ensuring a clean and transparent process. “The democratic exercise is foolproof with adequate checks and balances ensuring transparency and accountability,” she said, adding that all officials and employees are accountable to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and none answerable to state and central governments.

Ara asked the contesting candidates and their agents to go through the ECI guidelines in regard to Model Code of Conduct and election related expenditure for ensuring free and fair election. Election Expenditure Observer, Brajendra Kumar asked the candidates in the fray to maintain proper account of expenditure in their register with evidence which will be cross checked and verified by concerned officials. Kumar also asked them to keep a tab on paid news in print and electronic media projecting a particular candidate and to bring such reports to the notice of the concerned officials of MCMC and MCC.

Kumar asked the candidates not to incur cash expenditure above Rs.10,000 and to do transaction through the bank account which they had opened at the time of filing of nomination papers. He also explained matters relating to expenditure of a candidate accompanying a star campaigner while travelling or sharing a dais.
Police Observer for 6, 7 and 8 LACs, Sandeep Singh Chauhan said all security arrangements have been made to ensure security to the voters on the day of polling. The IPS Officer asked everyone to report any instances of threat or intimidating and on wooing voters with enticement.

General Observer for 8 Algapur LAC, Jang Bahadur Yadav, IAS, asked those with criminal antecedents or convicted to make disclosure thrice as per Supreme Court directive in vernacular and national newspapers and in electronic media.