EC sends central observer for Jhabua by-poll

BHOPAL: The election commission on Saturday sent a special central observer for Jhabua-Ratlam Lok Sabha by-poll as demanded by senior Congress leader Kamal Nath. Congress in a letter to the chief election commission (CEC) Naseem Zaidi, had apprehended misuse of government machinery by the ruling party and demanded a special observer from Delhi.
“Former union minster Kamal Nath had made serious allegations of malpractices by the BJP following which the EC instructed two central observers to reach Jhabua on Saturday.However, only one observer could reach here as informed by commission,” Congress state spokesperson J P Dhanopia told TOI.
“The Election Commission (EC) has sent R K Shrivastava, principal secretary to Jhabua as central observer. He reached in the morning and is stationed at Jhabua’’, joint chief electoral officer of M.P., S S Bansal told TOI. He said one observer Tapas Kumar was also instructed to reach Jhabua, however, he could not make it up in time.
Congress said demand for removal of RS Meena, SP of Jhabua, was also made by the party as, his MLA wife Mamta Meena was misuing official residence while campaigning. But Meena could not be transferred from Jhabua, said Congress.