Chandigarh, February 7
An order from the Election Commission of India received by the district election officers in Punjab today has created a furore.
As per the order, the presiding officer of a constituency will be from outside the district in which the Assembly constituency falls. The import of this order is that it will result in a large scale shifting of presiding officers from one district to another at a time when the poll staff has had rehearsals and training.
There are 18,222 polling stations in the state for February 13 elections. On the face of it, at least these many presiding officers will have to be reshuffled.
The number of polling stations varies from district to district. Thus entire staff of one district may not be needed in another.
According to informed sources, at least half a dozen deputy commissioners today spoke to the Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Mrs Usha R. Sharma, to lodge
their protest against the order.
The Election Commission missive, No. 464/Punjab-LA/2002/February 7 has been faxed by Mr K.R. Prasad on behalf of the Commission to the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer, Mr G.S. Cheema. It has been endorsed by Mrs Sharma instructing all district election officers to comply with it in letter and spirit.
There are two other important points to be adhered to besides the one regarding the shifting of presiding officers — One, no two officers/officials of the same department are to be positioned in one polling station. Two, in the Assembly constituencies, where from a minister is contesting no official of his/her department under his charge is to be put on poll duty.
A couple of deputy commissioners when contacted around mid-night told TNS that the orders had created a commotion and the existing instructions in respect of ‘’preparing’’ the electronic voting machines were already causing resentment.
As per these instructions, the machines should be ready by February 9. These are to be taken out on February 12 at 8 pm. Thereafter the supervisory officers will transport ballot papers respective areas during the night. These are to be handed over to the polling staff. The EVMs are to be re-checked on February 13 at 7 a.m., one hour before the polling
begins.
