Seal state borders: CEC
Tribune News Service

NEW DELHI, Nov 12 — The Election Commission has asked all states adjoining those where assembly elections are scheduled for November 25 to seal their borders.

Addressing a Press conference today, the Chief Election Commissioner, Dr M S Gill, said here that the states of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat which share borders with Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been directed to take preventive measures.

He said it was for the state police and Home Department to take effective steps and ensure that law and order is maintained.

The EC today also summoned the Delhi Police Commissioner, Mr V N Singh, to take stock of the law and order situation in the wake of the killing of Mr Ved Singh, a Samata Party candidate from Nangloi Jat assembly constituency in Outer Delhi.

Dr Gill said the Commission was concerned at the killing. Stating that while the police would be carrying on investigation into the incident, he said it should come down heavily against all those who disturb peace and prevent any anti-social elements from creating law and order problems.

The Commission also directed the Delhi police to report to it regularly steps being taken to ensure maintenance of law and order in the Capital so that the poll process could be completed in a free and fair manner.

In addition to the adjournment of poll in the Nangloi Jat constituency, the EC said polling in the Mundwa Assembly constituency at Rajasthan had also been adjourned following the death of a BJP candidate, Mr Ramedeo Singh, today. The polling will be held later after the recognised parties are approached by the EC to nominate fresh candidates, he said.

In another directive to Doordarshan and All India Radio, the Commission asked them to take care so that there is no undue projection in news and news coverage of political personalities. Both Doordarshan and AIR must maintain neutrality which he said was fundamental in maintaining a level playing field.

The Congress party had recently complained to the Commission charging that Doordarshan and the Central Government had violated the model code of conduct by telecasting from Gaya a speech of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, which it claimed was aimed at influencing the voters.