New Delhi: The Election Commission on Friday said it has zero tolerance towards the allurement of voters in the Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections. Also, through systems like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), it will be ensured that ‘freebies’ are not distributed to influence voters.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar also said that the Election Commission is waiting for the response of political parties on its proposal to introduce a new ‘form’. In this ‘form’, political parties will be able to give details about how they will fulfill the election promises made to the voters. The political parties have been asked where they will raise the necessary funds to fulfill the promises.
The Election Commission plans to make this ‘proforma’ a part of the model code of conduct by amending it. The CEC said that political parties/candidates have an undisputed right to make such declarations or promises which they find plausible. Voters also have the right to know how these will be accomplished. So, this process of deliberation will be governed by the existing legislative framework… The political parties are going to come to us by October 19 and we will decide what needs to be done.”
Asked about the efforts made to woo voters through ‘free gifts’, the CEC said the policy of the commission is zero tolerance to any kind of inducement and it has put the entire machinery in it.
“Through the Goods and Services Tax (GST), all the e-way bill system and goods which are going to the election states and even neighboring states will be monitored. They have assessed all the godowns…sarees, mixers…all these so that nothing is used (as an inducement).
He said that airports including private airstrips would be closely monitored through ATC (Air Traffic Control) so that no illegal, unscheduled, irregular flight could go unchecked. He said that the inter-state border in Himachal Pradesh would be sealed.
