CEC for simultaneous polls in four states in May
by K.Ashik

    Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): Chief Election Commissioner B.B.Tandon has said that he is in favour of holding simultaneous Assembly elections in West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu and Kerala and Union Territory of Pondicherry. He, however, told reporters here that a final decision would be announced after a thorough assessment of the overall situation on ground. The terms of the above Assemblies are expiring between May 25 and June 30. Tandon, who reviewed the situation in Kerala and elicited views of major political parties, said that Chief Minister Oomen Chandy's Government is in favour of holding elections in Kerala in two phases. Other suggestions on how to go about the polls in the state had also been forwarded to the Election Commision, which would take a final decision after examining all aspects, Tandon said. Photo-affixed electoral rolls would be used in all the constituencies in Kerala and Pondicherry. There would be extensive videography of polling stations and digital cameras would be installed in booths in sensitive areas, he said. Tandon said the revised electoral rolls for Kerala would be published later in the month. The inclusion and updating process would, however, go on till the last date of filing of nominations. As per the electoral rolls published in January 2005, Kerala has 2.7 million voters. Out of the 12.40 lakh applications received, only 8.40 lakh have been accepted. The state would have a total of 20,313 polling stations and would be provided with new Electronic Voting Machines replacing all the existing 26,500 EVMs, he said.

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