EC says no to use of helicopter by Badal
From K. V. Prasad
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Nov 18 — The Election Commission has turned down a request to allow Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal to use the official helicopter on payment basis for campaigning in the Assembly polls.

The EC also froze distribution of back-dated cheques reportedly issued for development work in Adampur assembly constituency and also directed restriction on unnecessary movement of senior officials in the area, Commission sources said today.

Voting for the Adampur Assembly byelections are scheduled for November 25.

Punjab had put in a request to allow use of the helicopter on lease with the state government for Mr Badal when he campaigns in the neighbouring states of Delhi and Rajasthan. The expenditure was to be borne by the Shiromani Akali Dal which is headed by Mr Badal.

Commission sources said the EC considered the request but did not agree since it was against the standing orders debarring use of official helicopters by Chief Ministers for purpose of elections or poll-related work.

In another directive, the EC today asked the state government to ‘freeze’ till the end of elections back-dated cheques reportedly issued for improvement of road and other facilities, the sources said.

Seeking detailed report of the above development, the EC also directed the officers there to monitor the movement of Ministers campaigning for the Adampur Assembly byelection.

The Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab has been instructed to enhance arrangements for videography of key events to monitor peak campaigning and keep the EC informed.

Referring to complaints and media reports indicating visits of senior civil and police officials to the Adampur area, the commission took serious note of it and asked the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to ensure there is no violation of the Commission’s standing orders.

As per the standing orders, during such elections the senior state level officers are instructed not to undertake tours which are ‘’not necessary’ since such visits are likely to be misconstrued and can affect free and fair elections, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the EC also sought reports of alleged misuse of official machinery in Himachal Pradesh by the Chief Minister and former Chief Minister.