Two more observers for Faridkot
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Sept 2 — The Election Commission of India has appointed two more observers for the Faridkot constituency where Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's son, Mr Sukhbir Singh, is contesting as the Shiromani Akali Dal candidate against Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, a senior leader of the Congress.

According to information available here in the Chief Electoral Office, Mr S.K. Chaudhary and Mr A. Mishra have been appointed additional observers for the Faridkot constituency. Three observers were earlier appointed in this constituency. With the addition of two more the number of observers in the constituency has risen to five.

One more observer Mr Hari Shankar Acharya has been appointed in the Patiala constituency and Mr Gauri Shankar has been appointed in the Taran Taran constituency. The number of observers for each of these constituencies has become four. Otherwise the commission has appointed three observers for each constituency.

The Congress led by Capt Amarinder Singh in Punjab has submitted a representation to the EC for increasing the number of observers in the Faridkot constituency as he feared that a lot of muscle and money power would be used in that constituency.

Meanwhile, Dr Brajendra Singh, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, has said that the EC had transferred Mr Bhupinder Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, posted at Kotkapura.

Dr Brajendra Singh had issued strict instructions to all parties and their activists they should observe the model code of conduct during polling.

He said no functionary, however, high he or she may be can enter the polling booth unless he or she is a candidate or an authorised agent for a voter. The EC has imposed restrictions on plying of vehicles on the day of polling.

Mrs Usha R. Sharma, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, said the EC had also asked to all concerned to extend cooperation to poll officials for conducting the proceedings peaceful and in an orderly manner. Any complaint or problem regarding the conduct of election should be brought in the notice of the observers appointed by commission, returning officer, zonal and sector Magistrate, Chief Electoral Officer or the Election Commission of India, she added.