Those appointed on boards can’t discharge functions till poll: EC

Amaninder Pal

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 12

On Opposition’s complaints about the appointment of SAD and BJP functionaries in statutory boards ahead of elections, the Election Commission (EC) today said that political appointees would be unable to discharge any function till the model code of conduct is in place.

The EC has made it clear that officials would discharge function of the boards. If not, the working of the bodies could be kept in abeyance till elections.

Days before the announcement of Assembly elections, the SAD-BJP ruling alliance had accommodated around 300 of its cadre in several boards and corporations to kill dissent in the two parties.

“Parties have submitted complaints of politically motivated appointments of functionaries to several statutory boards, which may be misused for political mileage. We have issued directions that officials, and not any political functionary, will discharge function of the boards,” said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi, concluding his two-day visit to the city to assess poll preparedness.

He also said the institution of a halqa incharge would not be allowed to influence officials. “If need be, junior officials will be reshuffled within the districts and outside.”

On incidents of violence

The CEC said the commission was against such violent incidents. “Four to five such incidents took place in the past few days. We have had incident-wise review. This has to be stopped at any cost. Strict action will be taken against perpetrators of such acts irrespective of leaders’ political affiliation.”

On VIPs’ security

After incidents of shoe-hurling at CM Parkash Singh Badal and stone-pelting at Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal’s convoy, the EC has directed the police to provide security to Z+ protectees in accordance with the Blue Book of the state. The state administration is responsible for providing security to such VIPs. Around 300 security personnel guarding VIPs have been withdrawn.

Concern over drugs, cash

Besides cash flow, it is anticipated that there will be a movement of money through banking channels. Foolproof arrangements are being made to monitor suspicious banking transactions, Zaidi said. Huge clandestine currency exchange along with deposits in benami bank accounts is being monitored. The EC’s major concern is to curb misuse of cash and drugs.