ECI is bound to conduct free, fair elections, says CEC Arora

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora  on Thursday said that the Commission is bound to conduct free, fair, COVID and inducement- free elections in the country. Speaking to the media after reviewing poll preparedness for two days in Chennai, he said that all the request and appeal by the political parties were duly considered and a detailed review was held.
He told that certain parties wanted the counting to be done in a day or two after the elections. He said that since the elections are to be conducted in more states, counting is to be done in a uniform manner.He said that more Central Armed Police Forces would be deployed and also special observers from other states would be nominated for monitoring the expenses during the election. He said that the Election Commission has taken note of social distancing regulations and decided to extend one hour of polling time.
The CEC told that the commission is expecting higher voter turn out in the Assembly election. He said, the dates will be decided and announced after review of poll preparedness in other states. He said, as per the COVID norms, an additional 25,000 more booths have been added bringing to a total of 93,000 booths in the state.He said, Election Commission is quite unhappy with the State Excise Department. To a question, Arora replied that festivals and examinations will be considered while announcing the dates for the polls.