Lalu-Rabri derogatory comment case over: Chawla

Election Commissioner Naveen Chawla on Saturday had said the case relating to RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi making derogatory comments was over.

"If there is further violation by them or leaders of other political parties, the district authorities could initiate action against them under different sections of RPA and CrPC," he told reporters at Patna on Saturday.

"If matters related to violation of Model Code of Conduct is reported to EC, a full bench would take action against the erring leaders," Chawla said.

The election commissioner said the returning officers and police have been directed to keep a track on "dummy" candidates. If they were found canvassing for other candidates then the expenses of the official nominee would add up.

Referring to the alleged murder of a candidate whose body was found hanging from a tree at Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, Chawla said EC has taken serious note of the incident and has asked the DGP, DM and SP to take action.

Chawla said 20 people, including security forces were killed and 46 people injured in Maoist-hit states where disturbances were reported from 270 booths during first phase of elections. (DD-19.4)

Some UP govt officials under the scanner of EC: Quraishi

The Election Commission on Saturday said that some officials of the Uttar Pradesh government were under the scanner of the EC and if required action could be taken against them.

"We have received complaints against some government officials and they are on the EC's watch list. These charges would be cross checked independently and if anything wrong is found against them, the commission would not hesitate in removing them," Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi told reporters in Lucknow.

Quraishi, who was here to review poll preparedness for the second phase of the general elections, met representatives of various political parties and held a meeting with district magistrates, superintendents of police and divisional commissioners.

During the meeting certain complaints were received against some officials for allegedly indulging in discrimination against some parties, misuse of government machinery, non-partisan attitude and holding caste-based meetings, he said, adding some political parties demanded removal of the key officials.

The Election Commissioner said these complaints were discussed in detail and explanations were sought from the officials.

When asked about the criticism on the EC's failure to check naxal attacks, he said that the interpretation was totally wrong.