Wong Luar Onyenan XxX: CEC

Friday, August 12, 2011

EC SEEKS CLARIFICATION ON 13 LAKH WARRANTS

Election Commission of India has asked Punjab to clarify about an average of 13 lakh warrants issued every year in the State.

Government sources revealed that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), SY Quraishi taking cognisance of the matter in a meeting with the Chief Secretary, SC Agrawal, Home Secretary DS Bains and police chief, PS Gill, asked them the reason for such a high number of arrest warrants. The 13 lakh warrants cover around five percent of the 2.7 crore population of the State. These warrants are issued against offenders of all kinds.

Gill has instructed officials to again seek a district-wise data of the total warrants issued per month from the district courts and the local police. Police officials, however, say that the figure of 13 lakh may not be correct. “EC is seeking a clarification on the figure.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

LOW TURNOUT OF URBAN VOTERS IS SHAMEFUL: CEC

"If you don't vote you have no business to crib on formation of government," Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi said while terming as "shameful" the low turnout of urban voters in the country.

Voicing serious concern over apathy of urban and youths towards exercising their right to franchise, the CEC said the issue needs to be addressed urgently. "Youth and urban voters don't turn out for casting their votes...but if you (voter) don't vote you have no business to crib on formation of government," Quraishi told reporters after meeting with different political parties of Punjab here.

He said that it "was embarrassing and shameful that urban voters don't turn up for voting in large numbers." He said that the EC would start a campaign for ethical voting during elections. He urged voters to file complaints with the commission if they are bribed by any political party to cast vote in its favour.

Expressing concern over paid news, he said that the commission had set up district and state level monitoring committees to keep a watch on them and if it finds such a case notice is served to the candidate.