CEC reviews Uttarakhand poll preparedness, launches mobile apps for voters

DEHRADUN: A team of Election Commission officials led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Naseem Zaidi reviewed the preparations for polls in the hill state on Thursday and met political parties to take their suggestions on how to ensure free and fair polls in Uttarakhand.
Zaidi also took note of a complaint by a delegation of the state BJP which met Election Commission officials on Wednesday and alleged misappropriation of discretionary funds for party purposes by assembly speaker G S Kunjwal.Zaidi has directed chief secretary Shatrughana Singh to keep a close watch on such matters.
Kunjwal, MLA from Jageshwar constituency, had dismissed the allegations against him as “unfounded and baseless”.
On Thursday, the CEC held a meeting with Singh, director general of police (DGP), Dehradun district magistrate (DM) and the SSP and issued instructions that leaders from various political parties should not be allowed to put up banners, posters and party flags in their constituencies to influence the voters ahead of the issuing of a formal notification for the upcoming assembly polls.
He also said that an action plan would be made to address bribing of voters through distribution of cash, liquor and gifts by political parties. Check posts will be set up across the state. Mobile app based complaint monitoring regarding abuse of money will be activated in each district.
Zaidi also announced that for the first time in the state, all Persons with Disabilities electors would be mapped polling station wise and identified, so that need-based facilities can be provided to them at each booth.
The CEC also launched mobile applications registration and redressal of voters’ complaints.