EC raps SSPs over high PO count

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 24

Expressing concern over the high number of proclaimed offenders (POs), the Election Commission pulled up police officers of the districts, which have a large number of POs. Notably, there are more than 20,000 POs in the state.

On the second day of the three-day visit to Punjab, the Election Commission, headed by Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi, held a meeting with Senior Superintendents of of Police (SSPs) and Deputy Commissioners of different districts. The district-wise security review for the upcoming Assembly elections was done in the meeting.

According to sources, the Election Commission directed police officers to arrest POs as soon as possible. The commission also asked the police to execute non-bailable warrants.

Apart from this, the Deputy Commissioners were directed to finalise the electoral rolls.

On Sunday, various political parties during a meeting with the Election Commission had expressed concern over 20,000 POs roaming free in the state. Saying the POs might be used by the ruling alliance in the elections, the parties also expressed concern over the politicisation of police and civil administration. Speaking on the issue, the EC team asked the DCs and SSPs not to work under any political pressure.

Zaidi said voters were the main stakeholders in the election process and their effective participation in voting was essential.

Earlier, during an interaction with media persons, the Election Commission said the issue of facilitating the participation of people staying outside Punjab and NRIs in the electoral process had been referred to the Law Ministry. Zaidi also said they were looking into bringing the parties’ manifestos under a legal framework as many promises were made in these to lure the voters.