Counting of votes begins in Rajasthan
Counting of votes polled in seven assembly segments of Rajasthan in November 13 by-election began amid 3-tier security arrangements at 7 counting centers Satuday morning.
Former Lok Sabha Speaker and veteran CPI-M leader Somnath Chatterjee today said that State Election Commission’s (SEC) decision to conduct Panchayat poll in a single day may lead to serious law and order problem in the state.
The state government would not be able to conduct the poll peacefully due to the dearth of security forces and volunteer forces do not have training and experience to conduct the poll, Mr Chatterjee said.
Apart from the ruling party, all major political parties had protested against the SEC’s decision to conduct the poll in a day, he said.
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It is of more concern that the ruling party forced the Opposition candidates to withdraw the nomination to ensure uncontested win of the ruling party candidates, Mr Chatterjee said, adding how a fair election can be held here where Opposition candidates could not file their nomination, asked Mr Chatterjee.
State government has sought security forces from five states to fix the problem of security force. What is the basis of state government to seek security force from other states, he asked. State government could have sought Central force to ensure a peaceful Panchayat poll, Mr Chatterjee said.
The State government and the SEC is not complying the order of the Calcutta High Court, Mr Chatterjee alleged.
Earlier, Mr Chatterjee had said that it is need to invoke Presidents’s rule in the state. He also expressed his concern regarding unprecedented attacks on Opposition candidates during filing of nomination by alleged Trinamul Congress backed goons.
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