Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo on Sunday told mediapersons that he would draw the attention of the Election Commission to concerns raised regarding the Lok Sabha polling date in Tamil Nadu coinciding with the Chithirai festival.
Mr. Sahoo said that the model code of conduct had come into effect immediately and he would hold a meeting through videoconference with all DEOs, SPs, Police Commissioners and other higher officials concerned in the DEOs’ jurisdiction (on Sunday itself).
To a query on the rollout of government schemes, he said now they would be monitored closely and their objectives would be studied.
Asked by The Hindu whether the government could rename the Chennai Central railway station after AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran, the CEO said that generally, any initiative that did not start before the model code of conduct came into force cannot be implemented.
Mr. Sahoo said that sensitive booths were under examination and it would depend on the profile of candidates. Any supplementary additions or deletions to the voters list would be done 10 days before the final date of filing nomination and the final list would be out two days before the date of election.
He said bypolls will not be held in three Assembly constituencies due to pending election petitions.