CEC warns poll officials against political bias

KOCHI: As announcement of poll dates for the April/may legislative Assembly elections are round the corner, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) for Kerala has issued a strong warning against officials who show political bias during the electoral process.

“Strong action would be taken if any official adopted biased approach towards any political party during the electioneering for the assembly polls to be held in a few months in the state,” Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena told media persons in Kollam on Wednesday.

Meena also said the officers, ater being temporarily drated from the civil administration by the Commission for conducting elections in the state, should work 100 per cent independently as part of the Commission’s efforts to conduct free and fair polls.

Meena said there were only two words for the officials who adopt a biased approach in the elections. “That is suspension and prosecution,” Meena said.

“Strong action will be taken, if any official does any sort of favour for any political party,” he said.

The CEC also assured full protection for the officials who work efficiently.

An Election Commission of India (ECI) delegation, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, had visited the state last week and said the dates for the assembly polls will be announced soon.

The Assembly elections to Kerala and a few other states and the Union Territory of Puducherry are likely to be held in April or May. Date of polling is likely to be announced next week.

Even before the elections dates are announced by Election Commission, Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) declared names of candidates for three of the 140 legislative Assembly constituencies.

This is a marked departure from the past when UDF candidate list is finalised only at the eleventh hour.

Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala announced the candidates for the Kaduthuruthy, Pala and Aroor seats during Aishwarya Kerala Yatra, a campaign tour of the state by UDF which is in progress.

Mons Joseph of the Kerala Congress Joseph faction will contest from Kaduthuruthy.