BJP seeks three-phase, Cong, others want one phase elections

The BJP raised the demand for three-phase election while Congress and other opposition parties were in favour of election on a single day, while few parties also registered their complaints against the State Government during the meeting of political parties with Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat on Friday at New Circuit House, Raipur. The meeting continued for more than an hour.

Keeping in view of the preparation of State general assembly election 2018, full Election Commission of India, lead by O P Rawat, Election Commissioner duo Sunil Arora and Ashok Lavasa, including other senior Election Commission officers, is on two day visit to Chhattisgarh. They are holding meeting with political parties, State Government officials over the preparation along with administrative preparation for the polls.

BJP legal advisor Naresh Gupta handed over the memorandum raising the demand for three phase election to the Chief Election Commissioner. Generally the State has witnessed two phase election for last three general elections. Citing the conditions prevailing in Chhattisgarh, BJP sought to extend the last date of publication of electoral roll to further 15 days. They also demanded to add and delete the names of electors having shifted their area of residence.

The Congress and other opposition opposed the demand stating that if conducted in three phase, the ruling party would get enough time for election campaign so that key leaders and union ministers can visit the State for election campaign. The opposition alleged that it would help the BJP to tamper with the EVMs. Few opposition political parties registered complaint including the Congress which raised the objection over the different Government schemes. One of them was the distribution of smart phone which has photograph of Chief Minister. The leaders demanded the Commission should take cognizance of it. Congress leaders also sought to bring to an end the distribution of tiffin through scheme by State Government.

Congress raised the issue of conduct of polling in Bastar should be impartial. They said that when EVMs are taken to remote areas in Bastar through helicopter, one polling agent should accompany it. The leaders raised issue of tampering of EVM in helicopters.

Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (Jogi) raised the demand to ban the election survey being conducted through different electronic channels and others with immediate effect. The survey is being conducted for political gains which can benefit a particular political party. JCC (J) handed over nine point’s memorandum. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) demanded to conduct polling through ballot paper while Aam Aadmi Party sought to issue directive for misuse of the administration and sought that Commission should directly take cognizance of it. It also handed over 5-point memorandum of demand before the ECI.