EC never works on anyone's diktat: Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar

GUWAHATI: Chief election commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday said the EC has never worked on the diktat of any party, a day after Congress boycotted the EC hearing after accusing the poll panel of working under the influence of the ruling BJP.
Kumar assured that efforts to complete the delimitation of Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies in Assam was going in a 'speedy manner' and with utmost care.
Principal opposition, the Congress party, boycotted the meeting with EC on Monday, accusing it of giving "less time" to them. State PCC chief Bhupen Borah alleged the EC visit was 'predetermined', indulged in "match-fixing" and influenced by BJP.
Kumar however rubbished the allegation and EC cannot be or will not be influenced by any force. "The record of EC is such that we never took dictation from anyone nor will take dictation in future," he asserted.
The CEC said that EC maintained an impeccable record by standing firm on its two foundations, discourse and participation of stakeholders. He said that the EC is open to receive suggestions till April 15 and welcomed all to put forth their suggestions.
Congress refused to meet the EC on Tuesday as well, even as they were given a second chance by the poll panel to put their suggestions. Congress accused that EC never answered its concerns.
"It's politically motivated. Match-fixing is going on in Kokrajhar and Dhemaji," Borah said in a news conference.
Speaking to the media here, the CEC said that the commission has been encouraged by the representation of political parties and organizations during the three-day visit of the poll panel to the northeastern state.
"Close to 65 organizations, 10 political parties spent time with us (during the hearing). There is an understanding, appreciation and participation to get this exercise completed. If we continue receiving such support and suggestions, we will complete the exercise in a speedy manner, as much as required, but with extreme care. It's a complex exercise," he said.
Kumar said different geographical, historical, cultural and demographic aspects will be kept in mind during the delimitation exercise. "There should not be a mistake in hurry," Kumar cautioned, even as he did not disclose a possible timing of completion of the delimitation exercise- to redraw the boundaries of the parliamentary and assembly constituencies of the state. He said the delimitation in Assam will continue as per the 2001 census figures.
On concerns over the fate of 19 lakh NRC excludees, he said all those citizens whose names are there in the 2001 census, will be considered during delimitation. "NRC and delimitation are two separate legal processes and there is no bar to carry both simultaneously," he said.