No veracity in allegation of misuse of Govt machinery: Punjab CEO

| | Chandigarh | in Chandigarh

Punjab Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju on Saturday said there was no "veracity" in the Shiromani Akali Dal's (SAD) allegations of misuse of government machinery and distribution of liquor by the ruling party during campaigning for the Shahkot Assembly bypoll to be held on Monday.

"Whenever there is an allegation, we do not take anything lightly. We have to go deep into it to find out the veracity (of that allegation)," he told reporters.

Asked whether the SAD had been able to substantiate its allegations of the misuse of official machinery, Raju said, "No, so far no. We are here to observe and act immediately where it is needed."

The SAD had accused the ruling party of misusing government machinery in Shahkot and alleged that the state government was putting pressure on Akali workers to vote for Congress candidate.

On the allegation of distribution of illicit liquor, Punjab CEO said the accusation pertaining to distribution of liquor at the behest of the ruling party was not substantiated.

"Akali Dal representatives gave me two photographs of liquor bottles the day before yesterday. We immediately sent those to the Additional Chief Secretary Excise and Taxation to get them checked. Within 24 hours, we got the report and nothing was substantiated in the allegation. We need some substance to act," he said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal had even accused the Election Commission of abdicating its responsibility and abandoning the people of the constituency.

The Punjab CEO said that his office today received specific complaints from the SAD and the AAP pertaining to the plying of vehicles bearing registration number of Rajasthan and Haryana in Shahkot.

Raju also said there was no possibility of booth capturing during Shahkot bypoll.

The SAD had said that there could be booth capturing and rigging in case paramilitary forces and 100 per cent videography of polling stations was not done.

The Election commission has deployed six companies of paramilitay forces in Shahkot.