Bhubaneswar: In its bid to ensure a free and fair polling in the by-election to Kandhamal Lok Sabha seat, the Election Commission has directed videography at all sensitive polling booths and of other important programmes including campaigning.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mona Sharma stated this here after reviewing arrangements for the October 15 polling. Sharma said steps being taken for implementation of the Model Code of Conduct and restrictions imposed on election expenditure were discussed at the an all-party meeting here. “All political parties will be informed in case there is any need to change the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in any of the polling booths,” she said.
“No development work will be allowed to be carried on during this election period,” said the CEO while informing about other provisions such as restrictions on official programmes of the ministers, publication of government advertisements and use of government inspection bungalows etc.
These restrictions would be strictly adhered to in Kandhmal, Boudh, Ganjam and Nayagarh districts, she said adding, no official engaged in this election would be transferred till they are lifted.
While the BJD was represented by Narendra Swain,
Congress leaders Sibanada Ray and Uttam Kumar Acharya and BJP leaders Samir Ranjan Mohanty and Bipra Padhi attended the all-party meeting.
