NAGAON, March 26 � Nagaon Deputy Commissioner Dr P Ashokbabu on Tuesday said that all the preliminary preparations for conducting the Lok Sabha election in the district have been completed.
Addressing the media in the presence of the General Election Observer K Rammuhan Rao and Expenditure Observer GH Sema, the Deputy Commissioner added that the training programme for polling and presiding officers is also going on smoothly.
On Tuesday, the district administration also had a discussion with the candidates of the Kaliabor HPC on maintaining the Model Code of Conduct for the elections.
Dr Ashokbabu further said that an inquiry will be conducted about the money, amounting to Rs 1,97,500, recovered from a political activist at Hatibandha under Uluani police station. Another inquiry will also be conducted in connection with a meeting held at Barbari under Mikirbheta police station in Morigaon district, he added.
However, poll observer Rao informed that no particular complaint has been lodged by any person about violation of the Model Code of Conduct till now. On being pointed out that a number of officials in various departments have been staying in Nagaon for more than three years with some government employees working for some party candidates, besides the open display of some government signboards with photographs of ministers in different places of the district, both Dr Ashokbabu and Rao assured to look into the matter. Both of them also appealed to the media persons to give information if any violation of the Model Code of Conduct comes to their notice.
The Deputy Commissioner further said that a mock voting exercise will be conducted soon in the presence of all the candidates or their agents to ensure fair elections in the district. The Returning Officer for the Kaliabor HPC, ADC DK Boruah informed that there are 13 candidates in the fray for the Lok Sabha constituency after the withdrawal of nomination papers and different symbols have already been allotted to them.
On concealing of facts in the affidavit of Congress candidate Gaurav Gogoi as alleged by a student body, Baruah said that non-filing of an affidavit is an offence, but since Gaurav Gogoi has filed his affidavit it is not an offence.
Additional SP F Islam informed that already 11 companies of CRPF have arrived in Nagaon and it has increased the strength of the paramilitary force to 18 companies. Meanwhile, 1,292 licenced weapons have also been deposited with the district administration in Nagaon, Islam added.
