Punjab: In poll run-up, Election Commission finds 39% of voter-bribing complaints right

CHANDIGARH: With over 10 days left for the Punjab elections and multi-cornered fights at most seats, candidates are resorting to distribution of cash, gifts and liquor to allure voters. The extent of inducement can be gauged from the fact that Election Commission of India (ECI) found 39% of the complaints to be true.

The ECI report revealed that out of 150 complaints received since the enforcement of the model code of conduct till February 7, 59 were correct. As many as 72 complaints of distribution of gifts/coupons were received, of which 28 were found correct while 26 out of 55 complaints of cash handouts were true. The accusation of distribution of liquor was found to be right in five cases.

As per the norm, whenever a complaint about distribution of cash, liquor or any other item of bribe is received, the flying squads in the area have to reach the spot. In case of any suspicion of commission of crime, the in-charge police officer of the flying squad must seize the items meant for bribing, gather evidence and record the witness’s statement and the individuals from whom the items were recovered following the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure (

CrPC

). The officer must ensure that the case is submitted in the court of competent jurisdiction within 24 hours.

In all, 8,417 complaints were made for different poll violations, of which 6,367 were found correct, which accounts for 76.64% of the total complaints. A maximum of 7,097 complaints pertain to putting up posters/banners without permission while 144 were about campaigning during the ban period, 98 for vehicle/convoy without permission and 41 for displaying firearms and intimidation.

CEO, Punjab, Karuna Raju maintained that they have zero tolerance for any attempts made by contestants for bribing the voters. He said instructions have been issued to act immediately when any complaint is received. “All the complaints regarding attempts to lure voters have been disposed of and action has been initiated in those in which charges were found to be true,” he said.

LUDHIANA TOPS THE LIST

As many as 2,626 complaints of poll violations were made in Ludhiana, a major industrial centre of north India. In 1,924 cases, the authorities acted within an average time of one hour 10 minutes. The second-highest number of 1,268 complaints have been made in Jalandhar, where action was taken in 1,031 and average actoin time of 34 minutes. As many as 537 complaints were made in Bathinda, 484 in Hoshiarpur, 384 in Patiala, 364 in Amritsar, 303 in Tarn Taran, 289 in Ferozepur and 236 in Kapurthala.


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