UP polls were festive: Says CEC referring to TV news
He puts election clashes aside saying those matters require further investigation
Despite numerous incidents of violence and killings in the UP elections, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) AKM Nurul Huda said the elections, held in a festive atmosphere, have been participatory and competitive.
He said he was confirmed about the free and fair polls by watching the news on television.
"The elections were held in a participatory and competitive manner with spontaneous participation of the voters. News of free elections in a festive atmosphere has been broadcast live on television," said the CEC while addressing a press briefing on the UP polls at the Election Commission office at Agargaon in the capital on Monday.
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He said, "There were casualties in several places surrounding the election. None of these incidents is expected or desirable. The media has published analytical reports on the incidents. The reports show that the violent incidents centring the elections occurred over establishing supremacy, the influence of clan, personal enmity, and political conflict."
Nurul Huda said, "According to media reports, people have been killed in election violence across the country. But it should be investigated whether all the killings were due to election clashes. Only a few of these incidents took place at polling stations or on polling day. Some of the killings occurred before the announcement of the election schedule and some occurred during the night – motive behind these killings is a matter of investigation."
He further said that during the clashes, unruly people were seen exercising muscle power carrying weapons. A letter has been sent to the home ministry to identify them and bring them to justice.
The CEC said two phases of UP elections have already been completed. The process to hold two more phases is underway.
Nurul Huda termed the remarks made by Election Commissioner Mahbub Talukder on the UP election as a violation of decency.
"Every member of the election commission should cooperate to make the election fair. Such comments from an EC are not desirable. Moreover, he makes such comments from time to time. I do not want to talk about it in his absence," he added.
EC Mahbub Talukder was not present at the press conference.
Responding to a question from a journalist, he said, "We have already written a letter to the home ministry urging strict action to stop violence during the poll. We have also instructed the police force to bring him to justice whoever commits violence."
It may be noted that about 50 people were killed in election violence during the second phase of UP polls.
